Low-dose preoperative pregabalin improves postoperative pain management in septorhinoplasty surgery: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of single low dose (75 mg) preoperative pregabalin in reducing post-operative pain of septorhinoplasty.

Methods: A double blind single center Randomized controlled trial based on block randomization. In the pregabalin group (PG) 34 participants received 75 mg pregabalin orally one hour before anesthesia induction while in control group (CG) 34 participants received a placebo. Pain and sedation were repeatedly measured with Visual Analouge Scale (VAS) and Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (RSAS) respectively, 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 24 hours postextubation. Cumulative doses of fentanyl and ibuprofen received in both groups were compared.

Results: Thirty-two of the participants in PG and 33 of the participants in CG completed the study. The Mean VAS pain score was less in PG versus CG 30 min postoperatively (2.30 ± 1.30 vs. 4.85 ± 1.17), one hour (2.28 ± 0.92 vs. 4.27 ± 0.78), two hours (2.11 ± 0.88 vs. 3.60 ± 0.61) and six hours (1.47 0.62 vs. 2.76 ± 0.91) but not 24-hours postoperatively (0.84 ± 0.62 vs. 1.09 ± 0.92). Participants in the PG were less agitated during early post-extubation period (at 10 min: RSAS 3.93 ± 0.43 vs. 4.42 ± 0.50) and more alert during the first hour post-extubation (at 60 min: RSAS 3.90 ± 0.29 vs. 3.36 ± 0.69). The total dose of rescue fentanyl and ibuprofen was lower in the PG compared to the CG.

Conclusions: A single dose of 75 mg pregabalin is very effective for pain control after septorhinoplasty procedure when administered one hour before anesthesia induction. Side effects are rare and opioid sparing was noted.

Trial Registration: Clinical trial number: IRCT2017043033706N1.