Efficacy of Perioperative Pregabalin in Reducing the Incidence of Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Postthoracotomy Syndrome.
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study is designed to assess:
1. The impact of taking perioperative pregabalin on the incidence of chronic neuropathic
pain and postthoracotomy syndrome at 3 months in patients who have undergone a
thoracotomy with a thoracic epidural as the basic analgesic modality.
2. The impact of taking perioperative pregabalin on the relief of acute pain, and on the
use of additional analgesics, such as opioids, for the relief of such pain in patients
who have undergone thoracic surgery with a thoracic epidural as the basic analgesia.
3. The impact of taking perioperative pregabalin on the quality of life and level of
functioning of patients who underwent thoracic surgery 3 months earlier.
4. The safety profile of pregabalin in this patient population.
Hypothesis: The basic hypothesis in this study is that a dose of pregabalin administered
preemptively 1 hour before a thoracotomy, then repeatedly during the postoperative period,
when neuronal hyperexcitability is at a maximum (i.e., 4 days), will lead to a 33.3% decrease
in the prevalence of chronic pain 3 months after surgery.