Introduction: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patient recovery following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pregabalin, a GABA analogue, is increasingly used for its opioid-sparing effects and analgesic properties. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of preemptive pregabalin administration in reducing postoperative pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption. Methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative study was conducted with 70 adult patients (35 in each group) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pregabalin group received 150 mg of pregabalin orally, 2 hours before surgery, while the placebo group received a blank pregabalin capsule. The primary outcome was the severity of postoperative pain, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, postoperative nausea, vomiting, and sedation levels. Results: Pregabalin significantly reduced postoperative pain at all time points compared to placebo (P < 0.05). The total diclofenac consumption was significantly lower in the pregabalin group (745.50 mg) compared to the placebo group (1739.50 mg, P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea (14.3 vs 54.3%, P = 0.000) and vomiting (5.7 vs 22.9%, P = 0.000) was also significantly lower in the pregabalin group. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Preemptive pregabalin administration effectively reduced postoperative pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the incidence of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It may be an effective component of multimodal analgesia strategies.
Keywords: Pregabalin. Postoperative pain. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. NSAIDs consumption. Multimodal analgesia.
