External dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) stands as the golden standard for lacrimal surgery. It is a painful procedure involving intra- and extra-ocular dissection with a high prevalence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV).

A recent study evaluated the effects of preoperative oral pregabalin on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing DCR surgery.

100 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical classes I and II patients falling in an age group of 18-65 years of either sex, underwent DCR surgery. The patients were randomized into two equal groups: pregabalin group, who received 2 capsules of pregabalin (one on the night of the surgery, the other 2 hours before the surgery), and the control group, who received two identical placebo capsules. All the patients were monitored for Hemodynamics, postoperative VAS scores, the time of the first analgesic request, total pethidine requirements, and the incidence of PONV.

The results described that the pregabalin group experienced a significantly lower incidence of postoperative pain, pethidine consumption and nausea, without any statistically significant differences concerning hemodynamic parameters in comparison to the control group.

Thus, Preoperative oral administration of pregabalin can serve as a promising modality for comforting postoperative pain and reducing postoperative opioid consumption.

Source: International Journal of Medical science and clinical research studies. 2022;2(7). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v2-i7-07