Significant improvement of chronic pain by Pregabalin after thoracotomy: report of four cases

Surg Today. 2013 Aug;43(8):915-7. doi: 10.1007/s00595-012-0287-5. Epub 2012 Aug 5.

Abstract

Unfortunately, many patients may have persistent pain lasting for many months, or even years, following thoracic surgery. No effective treatment has so far been established for chronic pain after thoracotomy. There are no reports of treatment involving Pregabalin for pain after thoracic surgery. This study reports four cases that showed significant improvement with Pregabalin in late-onset (notified during an office visit after discharge) nocturnal insomnia and in stress-induced ulcers caused by intercostal neuralgia after thoracotomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercostal Nerves*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Pregabalin
  • Thoracotomy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid