Pre- Versus Post-Incisional Pregabalin for Postoperative Pain Control

Pregablain Interest has been focused on the analgesic, sedative, anxiolytic, and opioid¬sparing effects of pregabalin (PGL) (S+ 3-isobutyl GABA), a structural analog of GABA and a derivative of gabapentin in various pain settingsl including postoperative pain . Of a similar mechanism of action, it is thought to possess a superior phannacokinetic profile than gabapentin [15]. Pregabalin has a variable role in neuropathic pain conditions, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, central neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia . Some studies had not demonstrated a significant analgesic effect in the acute, postoperative pain; others propose PGL to have effective sedative and opioid-sparing effects, both useful characteristics for the control of acute pain. Opioid sparing effects and improved pain scores have been seen after abdominal and pelvic surgery. Its many potential actions such as reducing opioid reqUirements, prevention and reduction of opioid tolerance, improvement of the quality of opioid analgesia, decreased respiratory depression, relief of anxiety, and gastriC sparing, make it an attractive drug to consider for control of pain in the post operative period.

Population characteristics The orthopedic oncological patients are a specific group of individuals whose demand for antinociception starts rather before surgery because of the bone tumor-generated pain that usually signals the first the existence of pathology. Also, pain intensity that is generated by an intervention on the skeleton is more intense than that induced by damage to soft tissue. Subsequently, these patients would require postoperatively more analgesics than after general surgery and for a longer period of time. We have demonstrated previously that acute pain that is superimposed on an already aroused eNS, i.e., the presence of central sensitization, would create a situation where complete antinociception is hard to obtain, as in these patients, and therefore the efficacy of the antinociceptive protocol is best tested, comprised the possible transformation of acute into chronic pain.

Pre-emption has been pointed out as a beneficial tool for reducing perioperative pain. Various techniques have been employed for this purpose; different drugs were used as well. The beneficial effects of preemptive PGL were documented in patients who had undergone lumbar discectomy, both immediately and 1 and 3 months after surgery.

Hypothesis No studies considered the comparison of preemptive vs. post-surgery PGL only administration, We believe that the administration of PGL preemptively would diminish pain sensation and therefore the need for opioids administration in orthopedic-oncologic patients more effectively than if administered starting postoperatively.

Objectives To assess the beneficial effects Of PGL admi"istered either pre-incisionally or post-incisionally on the immediate and late (1-and 3 months) postoperative analgeSia requirements and pain scores, as well as satisfaction rate in the orthopedic oncologic patients.