Effect of Preoperative Pregabalin on Stress Response during Laryngoscopy and Intubation and on Postoperative Analgesia in Normotensive Normoglycemic Patients Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy

Abstract

Cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation is well known and is linked to increases in catecholamine blood levels. Many studies proved that pregabalin is effective in attenuating the stress response to laryngosopy and intubation. Surgical patients commonly develop hyperglycemia related to the hypermetabolic stress response, which increases glucose production and causes insulin resistance. Surgery causes postoperative pain that should be alleviated as soon and as effective as possible to reduce suffering, to promote healing process and rehabilitation and to prevent complications. Preemptive analgesia prevents (or reduces) pathologic pain that is different from physiologic pain in several aspects; it is excessive in intensity and spread and can be activated by low-intensity stimuli. The preventive analgesic role of pregabalin in postoperative pain is well documented. Pregabalin also has a role in neuropathic pain states such as postspinal cord injury, post-traumatic peripheral neuropathy and failed back surgery syndrome.