1399-6576/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=38eb6404d06f778958d937f9e206498a235ebb02)
1399-6576/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=b3fbc6a18ff3b1c28f956dd876ad9147a094d753)
Pregabalin and dexamethasone improves post-operative pain treatment after tonsillectomy
Article first published online: 2 FEB 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2010.02389.x
© 2011 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. © 2011 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation
Additional Information
How to Cite
MATHIESEN, O., JØRGENSEN, D. G., HILSTED, K. L., TROLLE, W., STJERNHOLM, P., CHRISTIANSEN, H., HJORTSØ, N. C. and DAHL, J. B. (2011), Pregabalin and dexamethasone improves post-operative pain treatment after tonsillectomy. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 55: 297–305. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2010.02389.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 2 FEB 2011
- Article first published online: 2 FEB 2011
- Accepted for publication 14 December 2010
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Background: Post-tonsillectomy pain can be severe. We investigated the analgesic effect from combinations of paracetamol, pregabalin and dexamethasone in adults undergoing tonsillectomy.
Methods: In this randomized double-blind study, 131 patients were assigned to either group A (paracetamol+placebo), group B (paracetamol+pregabalin+placebo) or group C (paracetamol+pregabalin+dexamethasone). Pre-operatively, patients received either paracetamol 1000 mg, pregabalin 300 mg, dexamethasone 8 mg or placebo according to their allocation. Post-operative pain treatment included paracetamol 1000 mg 4 × and ketobemidone 2.5 mg p.n. Ketobemidone consumption, pain scores [visual analogue scale (VAS)], nausea, sedation, dizziness, number of vomits and consumption of ondansetron were recorded 2, 4 and 24 h after the operation. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean 24-h VAS-pain score at rest was reduced in group C (P<0.003) vs. group A. The mean 24-h VAS-pain scores during swallowing were reduced in group B (P=0.009) and group C (P<0.003) vs. group A. Consumption of ketobemidone (1–4 h post-operatively) was lower in group B (P=0.003) and group C (P=0.003) vs. group A. The mean 24-h dizziness score was higher in group B (P<0.003) and C (P=0.003) vs. group A. Other parameters including re-operation for post-tonsillectomy bleeding were not different between groups.
Conclusion: Pregabalin and pregabalin+dexamethasone reduced post-operative pain scores and consumption of ketobemidone following tonsillectomy. Dizziness was increased with pregabalin.