European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: Parturient women suffer unpleasant debilitating pain, post-operatively following caesarean section. Providing adequate postoperative analgesia facilitates early ambulation, shortens hospitalization, and improves function of the mother to give better care to her New-born. Hence in our study we evaluate the effect of pre-operative single oral dose pregabalin on post-caesarean pain, cumulative analgesic consumption and its safety profile.
Materials and Methods: 60 pregnant women posted for elective caesarean section were randomised into two groups, Pregabalin group (PREGABALIN, n=30) and Placebo group (PLACEBO, n=30). The study medication was given orally with a sip of water, approximately one hour prior to expected time of the surgical incision. Hemodynamic parameters, postoperative pain score by verbal numerical rating scale (NRS), time of first rescue analgesia, cumulative maternal analgesic requirement during first 24hrs, neonatal APGAR SCORE at 1 and 5 mins were evaluated. Adverse effects due to pregabalin if any due to use of pregabalin.
Results: Time to first rescue analgesic was prolonged in Pregabalin Group as compared to Placebo Group. Mean cumulative analgesic consumption was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in Pregabalin group as compared to Placebo group. Neonatal APGAR SCORE at 1 and 5 mins were similar in both groups.
Conclusion: Pre-emptively administered single oral 150mg dose of pregabalin provides excellent postcaesarean pain relief. It also resulted in decreased analgesic requirement and less postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) postoperatively in parturient women.