RESUMEN
Background: post anesthesia shivering [PAS] is one of the most common complications after surgeries. There are two methods to reduce the shivering, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods
Aim of the study: the present study compared the efficacy and safety of 150 mg oral pregabalin premedication on preventing PAS, perioperative core body temperature changes, hemodynamic stability and postoperative complications
Patients and methods: this prospective, observational study consisted of 200 adult patients scheduled for general, orthopedic or ENT surgery. The patients were randomized into two groups of 100 patients each. Group I received 150 mg of oral pregabalin, group II received an oral placebo 60-90 min before operation. All patients were assessed for perioperative hemodynamic changes, Core body temperature changes, PAS, amount of pethidine used and postoperative side effects
Results: regarding the efficacy of the preoperative administration of oral pregabalin, the current study reports valuable preventive effect on shivering for pregabalin group [8.1%] compared to control group [44.3%], and there was highly significant difference between both groups according to incidence and scoring of shivering. On the other hand we found no significant difference between groups according to heart rate [HR], systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]. However reduction in SBP and DBP was recorded in both groups after induction which became back up at the end of surgery. Also tympanic temperature reduction was recorded intraoperatively and came back up during recovery period with no statistically significant differences between groups. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly lower with the administration of pregabalin compared with the placebo group. Additionally, pregabalin increased the incidence of dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness
Conclusion: oral pregabalin premedication adequately prevent PAS but could not affect its timing nor mean dose of pethidine used. Additionally, oral pregabalin reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting but increased significantly the incidence of dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness