The Possible Preventive Role of Pregabalin in Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Chronic postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) has a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the possible preventive role of perioperative pregabalin in PMPS. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 200 patients with breast cancer scheduled for elective breast cancer surgery. They were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The pregabalin group received 75 mg of pregabalin twice daily for seven days and the control group received oral equivalent placebo capsules. The primary outcome was development of neuropathic PMPS. Neuropathic pain was assessed using the Grading System for Neuropathic Pain. Secondary outcome measures were safety and Visual Analogue Scale scores. RESULTS: Neuropathic pain was significantly less frequent in the pregabalin group compared to the control group at four weeks (P = 0.005), 12 weeks (P = 0.002), and 24 weeks (P < 0.001) postoperatively. PMPS was diagnosed in 11 patients (11%) of the pregabalin group and 29 patients (29%) of the control group (P < 0.001, relative risk: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12-0.56). At the three follow-up time points, Visual Analogue Scale scores during the first three postoperative weeks were comparable in both groups while they were significantly lower in the pregabalin group at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. These two groups were comparable in the frequency of adverse events (P = 0.552). CONCLUSION: Perioperative oral pregabalin 75 mg twice daily, starting at the morning of surgery and continued for one week, could reduce the frequency of postmastectomy pain syndrome.

Fluoroscopic stellate ganglion block for postmastectomy pain: a comparison of the classic anterior approach and the oblique approach.

OBJECTIVE: Stellate ganglion block is usually performed with the classic anterior paratracheal approach. The anatomy of the stellate ganglion being in close proximity to various critical structures renders a number of complications, which are potentially associated with its blockade. The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic efficacy and safety of a new approach of the stellate ganglion block using an oblique fluoroscopic view. METHODS: Fifty patients with postmastectomy pain syndrome were randomly allocated into 1 of 2 groups: the anterior paratracheal stellate block group and the oblique fluoroscopic stellate block group. Four blocks were performed for each patient using the same approach each time. The results were evaluated in terms of pain intensity as assessed by the visual analog scale score, morphine consumption, and allodynia surface area (in cm). Patient satisfaction score (PSS), skin temperature, side effects, and complications were recorded and compared between the 2 studied groups after each block had been performed. RESULTS: The mean visual analog scale score, daily morphine consumption, and areas of allodynia were significantly decreased and the PSS was significantly increased after each block and for up to 3 months after the last block in both the groups. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups at the same study period apart from PSS, which was statistically more significant in group oblique at certain times. The incidences of side effects were significantly more in group classic than in group oblique. CONCLUSIONS: The oblique fluoroscopic approach of the stellate ganglion block is as effective as the anterior paratracheal approach but is safer and more satisfactory to the patients.