Does pregabalin act in pain control after lateral pharyngoplasties and tonsillectomies? A pilot study

Objective Some studies have pointed to gabapentinoids as promising medications in postoperative pain control. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of pregabalin in reducing postoperative pain in tonsillectomy and lateral pharyngoplasties. Study design Double-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting Tertiary care center. Methods A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients undergoing tonsillectomies and lateral pharyngoplasties between Aug 29, 2017, and Oct 31, 2020. Data of interest such as opioid consumption, pain scores, and adverse outcomes such as dizziness, nausea, headache, and sedation within 7 days following surgeries were analyzed. Results No statistically significant difference was observed in pain scores and opioid consumption between the groups studied in the pilot project. The use of pregabalin was associated with lower incidence of dizziness compared to controls. Conclusion Gabapentinoids, especially pregabalin, are drugs whose potential for controlling pain after pharyngeal surgery, such as tonsillectomy and sleep apnea surgery, still needs to be more fully evaluated. After the conclusion of the present study, we hope to answer this question about the role of pregabalin in oropharyngeal surgeries.