Background: Perioperative administration of pregabalin, which is effective for neuropathic pain, might reduce early postoperative and chronic pain. This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (Clinical Trials.gov ID NCT00905580) was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for reducing both acute postoperative pain and the development of chronic pain in patients after robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy.
Methods: Ninety-nine patients were randomly assigned to groups that received pregabalin 150 mg or placebo 1 h before surgery, with the dose repeated after 12 h. Assessments of pain and side effects were performed 48 h postoperatively. The incidences of chronic pain and hypoesthesia in the anterior chest were recorded 3 months after surgery.
Results: Ninety-four patients completed the study. Verbal numerical rating scale scores for pain and the need for additional analgesics were lower in the pregabalin group (n = 47) than the placebo group (n = 47) during 48 h postoperatively (P < 0.05). However, incidences of sedation and dizziness were higher in the pregabalin group (P < 0.05). There were no differences between the groups in the incidences of chronic pain and chest hypoesthesia at 3 months after surgery.
Conclusions: Perioperative administration of pregabalin (150 mg twice per day) was effective in reducing early postoperative pain but not chronic pain in patients undergoing robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy. Caution should be taken regarding dizziness and sedation.