Pregabalin is a common analgesic for neuropathic pain. But Pregabalin as an additive to a multimodal analgesic regimen has remained controversial. The present meta-analysis identified Pregabalins efficacy for managing postoperative pain in thoracotomy.

The study explored Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Springer, and Clinical Trial Register databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Pregabalin in preventing postoperative pain in thoracotomy. 

It included Nine RCTs with 684 patients. Outcomes favoring Pregabalin included less pain on a 0–10 scale on one day, three days, one month, three months postoperatively, and less incidence of neuropathic pain, less mean morphine consumption, but more dizziness and drowsiness, and less constipation. The study found no significant differences in pain scores on seven days, nausea, and vomiting.

Thus, this study explains that Pregabalin prevents postoperative pain in thoracotomy and decreases the incidence of neuropathic pain and morphine consumption. Pregabalin may be a valuable asset in managing acute and persistent postoperative pain in thoracotomy.

J Pain Res. 2018 Dec 28;12:159-170. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S183411. PMID: 30643448; PMCID: PMC6312398.