A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Whether Pre-operative Pregabalin 300 mg Will Improve Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (Bariatric Surgery)

Pregabalin is a popular adjunct for relieving neuropathic pain in diabetics. There have been multiple studies evaluating its use in pre and post-operative pain control in various surgeries. Post-operative pain control is a challenging problem in bariatric patients due to the high doses of narcotic required, related to the high body mass, and the danger of concomitant respiratory depression. In the obese patient, the goal of postoperative pain management is provision of comfort, early mobilization and improved respiratory function, without causing inadequate pain control, respiratory compromise or increased nausea. Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial, whereby patients undergoing Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass will be administered a single pre-operative dose of Pregabalin or a placebo. We plan to follow their immediate post-operative course in the hospital, with regard to the following primary endpoints: Post-operative analgesic requirements Post-operative pain scale (rated 0-10) Episodes of vomiting Post-operative antiemetic requirement Length of stay