Perioperative Pregabalin for Recurrent Intractable Hiccups: A Case Report and Literature Review

Involuntary diaphragmatic spasms, "hiccups," commonly resolve spontaneously over a few minutes but can occasionally persist, presenting a challenging perioperative problem. Pregabalin is a frequently utilized gabapentinoid in the treatment of neuropathic pain, but its effectiveness for treating hiccups during the perioperative period has not been well established. We present a patient with a 7-year history of intractable hiccups resistant to chlorpromazine, baclofen, gabapentin, and cervical epidural injections presenting for orthopedic surgery. Perioperative and postoperative pregabalin administration significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hiccups. This case demonstrates the potential for pregabalin in the management of refractory hiccups.