The Effect of a Single Dose of Preemptive Pregabalin Administered With COX-2 Inhibitor: A Trial in Total Knee Arthroplasty

We sought to compare a group (Group L) (n = 21) of patients that underwent total knee arthroplasty and received a single preoperative dose of pregabalin combined with a COX-2 inhibitor with a control group (Group C) (n = 20) that only received a COX-2 inhibitor in terms of (1) acute postoperative pain intensity, (2) analgesic consumption, and (3) functional recovery. Mean cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 48 hours was lower in Group L than in Group C (P < 0.05). The pain scores at rest were lower in Group L at 6 and 12 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). No significant intergroup difference was noted in functional recovery. The addition of pregabalin led to an additive reduction in early postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.