title: The effectiveness of pregabalin for post-tonsillectomy pain control: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although various analgesics have been used, postoperative pain remains one of the most troublesome aspects of tonsillectomy for patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of premedication using pregabalin compared with placebo (diazepam) on postoperative pain control in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight adult patients were randomly divided into a control group and a pregabalin group. Preoperatively, patients in the control group received 4 mg diazepam orally as placebo, whereas those in the pregabalin group received 300 mg pregabalin orally. All participants were provided with patient-controlled analgesia using fentanyl for 24 hours after surgery. Postoperative pain treatment included acetaminophen 650 mg three times daily for 8 postoperative days. The primary outcome measure was the total amount of patient-controlled fentanyl consumption after tonsillectomy. Secondary outcome measures were the number of injections of ketorolac tromethamine (each 30 mg) requested by patients, pain scores, overall satisfaction scores, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, headache, and vomiting after the surgery. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total amount of fentanyl demanded decreased significantly in the pregabalin group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of ketorolac tromethamine injections, pain scores, overall satisfaction scores, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, headache, and vomiting between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of 300 mg pregabalin prior to tonsillectomy decreases fentanyl consumption compared with that after 4 mg diazepam, without an increased incidence of adverse effects.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  KCT0001215.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Seog
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Chul
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Il-Hwan
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Woong
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000069583:Pregabalin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011292:Premedication; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000069583:Pregabalin; D003975:Diazepam