title: Pregabalin reduces post-operative pain after mastectomy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregabalin is used for the treatment of neuropathic pain and has shown analgesic efficacy in post-operative pain. The aim of this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (Clinical Trials.gov ID NCT00938548) was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for reducing post-operative pain in patients after mastectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-four women scheduled for elective mastectomy were randomly assigned to groups that received either pregabalin (75 mg) or placebo, 1 h before surgery and 12 h after the initial dose. Assessments of pain [verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), at rest and with arm abduction] and side effects were performed at 1, 6, 24 and 48 h post-operatively. After discharge from the hospital, pain was assessed by telephone interview at post-operative 1 week and 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VNRS scores for pain at rest were lower in the pregabalin group (n=42) than the placebo group (n=42) at 1, 24 and 48 h post-operatively (P<0.05). VNRS scores for pain with arm abduction were lower in the pregabalin group (n=42) than the placebo group (n=42) at 1 and 24 h, and 1 week post-operatively (P<0.05). Incidences of side effects such as nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness and blurred vision were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perioperative administration of pregabalin for a single day (75 mg twice daily) was easy, safe and effective in reducing post-operative pain in patients undergoing mastectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid