Perioperative pregabalin for attenuation of postoperative pain after eyelid surgery

To examine the effect of a 1-time dose of pregabalin (Lyrica) on the perception of pain and analgesic consumption after oculofacial plastic surgery.

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients presenting to the oculofacial plastic surgery service at University of Colorado Eye Center for functional eyelid surgery and who met the study criteria were consecutively enrolled between October 2011 and September 2012. Subjects were randomized to either placebo or 150 mg pregabalin administered 15 minutes to an hour prior to the procedure. The procedure was then performed under the usual standard of care. Postoperatively, study subjects recorded pain scores on visual analog scales (range 0-100) at 1 to 2 hours, 2 to 4 hours, 8 to 12 hours, 20 to 28 hours, and 36 to 48 hours and the amount of acetaminophen consumed. Data were analyzed with Statistical Analysis System software using mixed-effects linear models.

Fifty-two patients were enrolled. Three patients were excluded due to incomplete follow up (n = 2) and postoperative course requiring early unblinding (n = 1). Twenty-six subjects were men. Average age was 68 years (range, 25-89). Eyelid procedures performed included blepharoplasty (18), canthoplasty (11), ptosis repair (15), eyelid retraction repair (2), pentagonal wedge resection (1), and MOHS reconstruction (2). Twenty-six patients were randomized to receive pregabalin, while the remainder received placebo. There was no significant difference in demographics between the 2 groups. The pregabalin group reported pain scores that were 5.5 points lower on average compared with the placebo group (p = 0.0307). Patients in the pregabalin group also consumed half as much acetaminophen (1.3 g) on average as the placebo group (2.6 g) during the postoperative period.

Pregabalin is effective in reducing postoperative pain after oculoplastic procedures when compared with placebo. It may be a useful adjunct for pain control in selected patients.