A clinical trial performed in the department of surgery, Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran showed a significant reduction in pain and opioid consumption with the use of oral pregabalin in the first three days after herniorrhaphy.

Pregabalin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue, is used to manage conditions related to neuropathic pain, anxiety or inflammatory problems. Mohammad Hossein Moghimi and colleagues conducted this study to explore the significant effects of pregabalin in reducing post-Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy pain. The trial was conducted among 60 men who went through unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy under spinal anaesthesia.

The patients were categorized into two groups; one was pregabalin or investigation group, and other was a placebo or control group. Patients in the investigation group obtained 300 mg pregabalin 2 hours before and 150 mg oral pregabalin after 12 and 24 hours of the procedure along with 1 mg/kg pethidine and regular postoperative medicine. Other group obtained placebo capsules (dosage same as investigation group) along with 1 mg/kg pethidine and regular postoperative medication. The same approach was used to perform all surgeries. The intensity of pain was assessed in lying and walking positions via VAS at 12 h, 24 h, 3rd and 7th day after the treatment. The determination of adverse effects of pregabalin and pethidine intake was also done.

Reduced VAS scores, pain and pethidine intake, were noticed in the investigation group at 12 h, 24 h and three days after the treatment as compared to the placebo group (p<0.05).