Positive Preemptive Analgesia Effectiveness of Pregabalin Combined with Celecoxib in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Controlled Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study (a randomized clinical trial) was to evaluate the preemptive analgesic effects of pregabalin combined with celecoxib in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: From January 2019 to June 2021, we enrolled 149 patients who underwent TKA and divided them into four groups: the placebo group (n = 36), celecoxib group (n = 38), pregabalin group (n = 38), and combination group (n = 37). Each group was given the corresponding preemptive analgesia regimen at 12 and 2 hours before surgery. The pain score at rest and upon movement, cumulative dosage of sufentanil, knee range of motion (ROM), high-sensitivityC-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, and adverse effects were evaluated after TKA to compare the effects of the preemptive analgesia regimens among the four groups. RESULTS: The pain scores upon movement were significantly lower in the combination group than in the other three groups at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The cumulative dose of sufentanil within 48 hours after surgery was lowest in the combined group among the four groups (P < 0.05). Hs-CRP, ROM, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were within 72 hours after surgery significantly improved in the combination group compared with those of the three other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The preemptive analgesia regimen of pregabalin combined with celecoxib had positive effects on improving acute pain and reducing the cumulative dose of opioids after TKA. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2100041595.