A Randomized, Double-Blind, Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effect of Oral Pregabalin in Upper Limb Surgeries Under Brachial Plexus Block

Context The oral pregabalin administration preoperatively has been reported to reduce acute postoperative pain and prolong the duration of anesthesia produced by single-injection peripheral nerve blockade. Aim To study the effect of single dose pregabalin on duration of brachial plexus block Settings and design Prospective, randomised, double blind, comparative study Material and methods Patients were divided into two groups (groups A and B), with each group having 50 patients. In group A, the patient received a pregabalin capsule of 300 mg orally two hours before surgery with a sip of water. Group B received a placebo (vitamin B complex capsule) orally two hours before surgery. Brachial plexus block was performed, and data was collected. Statistical analysis Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0 statistical analysis software. Demographic data and clinical variables were compared using the student's t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results The requirement of the first dose of analgesia was significantly earlier in group B as compared to group A (4:56±0:20 vs. 8:01±0:30 hours). Group B patients, as compared to group A patients, had significantly higher levels of pain after two hours of surgery (0.32±0.47 vs. 0.00±0.00) and at four hours of surgery (2.42±0.50 vs. 0.34±0.59). Conclusions Oral pregabalin prolongs analgesia from brachial plexus block without significant effect on the motor block. In addition, premedication with oral pregabalin increases the sensory block of brachial plexus block.