Antiemetic effect of pregabalin in breast reconstruction surgery in patients after bariatric surgery: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study

Introduction Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication after general anesthesia. Pregabalin may reduce its incidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adjuvant antiemetic effect of pregabalin in the first 24 hours after surgery in patients undergoing breast reconstruction after bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods This prospective, randomized, double-blind study had 52 female patients aged between 18 and 64 years with physical status 1-2 of the American Society of Anesthesiologists who underwent breast reconstruction after bariatric surgery. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the control group received placebo, and those in the pregabalin group received 75 mg of pregabalin 2 hours before surgery and 75 mg 12 hours later. All patients received 4 mg dexamethasone and 4 mg ondansetron. The incidence of PONV was evaluated in the immediate postoperative period and 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours later. The need for rescue doses of antiemetics and adverse events in the first 24 hours were recorded. Results The groups were homogeneous in clinical and treatment variables. There was no significant difference in the incidence of PONV over time in the control group (P = 0.71/no occurrence) or in the pregabalin group (P = 0.11/P = 0.26). There was no significant difference in the need for rescue antiemetic dose (P = 0.40) or in the incidence of adverse events (P = 0.51) between groups. Conclusion The administration of pregabalin in the first 24 hours after surgery did not significantly reduce PONV in patients undergoing breast reconstruction after bariatric surgery.