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Original Research | Anaesthesiology | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 504 - 507 | India
Effect of Oral Pregabalin on the Characteristics of Spinal Anaesthesia and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgeries
Abstract: Background: Spinal anaesthesia is the technique of choice for lower limb orthopaedic surgeries, yet its limited postoperative analgesic duration remains a significant clinical challenge. Pregabalin, a structural analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has shown promise in multimodal pain management through its action on presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels. Aim: To evaluate the effect of a single oral dose of pregabalin 150 mg on the characteristics of spinal block, duration of postoperative analgesia, and total analgesic requirement in patients undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgeries. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre, South Gujarat. Eighty adult patients (ASA I-III, aged 18-65 years) scheduled for lower limb orthopaedic surgeries under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. Group P (n=40) received oral pregabalin 150 mg one hour before spinal anaesthesia; Group C (n=40) received no premedication analgesic. Sensory and motor block characteristics, postoperative VAS scores, first rescue analgesia time, total analgesic consumption, and sedation (Ramsay Sedation Score) were assessed. Results: Both groups were demographically comparable. The onset of sensory and motor block was not significantly different between groups (p>0.05). However, two-segment regression time (Group P: 93.2±5.5 min vs Group C: 83.1±6.9 min), total sensory block duration (195.2±17.9 vs 167.5±10.1 min), and total motor block duration (183.2±14.7 vs 158.47±9.57 min) were all significantly prolonged in Group P (p<0.001). VAS scores were significantly lower in Group P at all intervals except 3 hours. First rescue analgesia was significantly delayed in Group P (353.7±38.3 vs 265.3±39.7 min, p=0.003). Total tramadol (115±36.2 vs 152.5±50.57 mg) and paracetamol requirements were significantly reduced in Group P (p<0.001). Mild sedation was noted in Group P; no adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: Pre-emptive oral pregabalin 150 mg significantly prolongs sensory and motor blockade of spinal anaesthesia, delays first analgesic requirement, and reduces total postoperative analgesic consumption without increasing adverse effects. It represents a safe and effective component of multimodal analgesia in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.
Keywords: Pregabalin, Spinal Anaesthesia, Postoperative Analgesia, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pre-emptive Analgesia, VAS Score, Bromage Scale
How to Cite?: Dr. Shivani Makhecha, Dr. Jignasa Patel, Dr. Rakesh Jalandhara, "Effect of Oral Pregabalin on the Characteristics of Spinal Anaesthesia and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgeries", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 504-507, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26609212639, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26609212639