Randomized controlled trial of pregabalin for analgesia after surgical treatment of intervertebral disc disease in dogs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of perioperative pregabalin on pain behavior in dogs after intervertebral disc surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. ANIMALS: Forty-six client-owned dogs undergoing intervertebral disc surgery. METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to two groups, with the placebo group receiving opioids alone and the pregabalin group receiving opioids plus pregabalin. Opioid analgesia consisted of 0.6&#x2009;mg/kg&#x2009;l-methadone given intravenously at anesthetic induction, followed by 0.2&#x2009;mg/kg given at 8, 16, and 24&#x2009;hours after extubation and fentanyl patches applied at the end of surgery. Pregabalin was given orally (4&#x2009;mg/kg) 1&#x2009;hour before anesthesia, followed by postoperative treatment three times per day (4&#x2009;mg/kg) for 5&#x2009;days. The outcome measures were the treatment-group differences in peri-incisional mechanical sensitivity and Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF) assessed during the first 5 postoperative days. Pregabalin serum concentrations were measured after 24, 72, and 120&#x2009;hours. RESULTS: Pregabalin reduced pain levels in the treatment group by a mean of 2.5 CMPS-SF units (95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.19 to -1.83, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001) compared with the control group during the study period. Pregabalin increased the mechanical nociceptive threshold by a mean of 6.89&#x2009;N per day (95% CI = 1.87-11.92, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001) and of 7.52&#x2009;N per day (95% CI = 2.29-12.77, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001) during the study period, depending on location. Mean levels of serum pregabalin were 5.1, 4.71, and 3.68&#x2009;&#x3bc;g/mL at 24, 72, and 120&#x2009;hours postoperatively, respectively. CONCLUSION: Postoperative signs of pain after surgical treatment of intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) were reduced when dogs received perioperative pregabalin rather than opioids alone. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Perioperative pregabalin reduces postoperative pain after surgical treatment of IVDH.