title: A double-blind randomized crossover study to evaluate the timing of pregabalin for third molar surgery under local anesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This double-blind randomized crossover study compared the analgesic efficacy of pre- and postoperative administration of oral pregabalin 75 mg using a postsurgical dental pain model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients requiring third molar surgery in 2 separate stages under local anesthesia were recruited. They were given pregabalin 75 mg either 1 hour before or after their first surgical extraction. They then received the same dose of pregabalin at their second surgical extraction, but those who received it before surgery received it postsurgery, and vice versa. Postoperative analgesic effects were assessed at postoperative hours 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72. Time to first analgesic, analgesic consumption and adverse events were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients were recruited, and 34 completed the study. The area under curves for numerical rating scale pain scores 1 to 24 hours were significantly lower at rest but not during mouth opening for patients receiving postoperative pregabalin (P < .048). Pain relief was similar for the period of 24 to 72 hours. No significant difference was found in time to first analgesic, total analgesic consumption, and side effects between preoperative and postoperative groups. No difference in the incidence of adverse events was noticed in relation to the timing of pregabalin administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative administration of oral pregabalin 75 mg appears to offer better analgesic efficacy than preoperative administration after third molar surgery under local anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. cheucw@hku.hk
authors.forename: Chi Wai
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Wing Shan
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yiu Yan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Jacobus Kwok Fu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Anthony Ming
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hei-Ho
authors.forename: Michael Garnet
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Irwin
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010919:Placebos; D000069583:Pregabalin; D011292:Premedication; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010919:Placebos; D000082:Acetaminophen; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene