Preoperative pregabalin prevents succinylcholine-induced fasciculation and myalgia: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Succinylcholine is the gold standard neuromuscular blocker for rapid sequence induction; however, its use is associated with fasciculation and myalgia. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials comparing gabapentinoids versus placebo for the prevention of fasciculations and succinylcholine-induced myalgias. Six randomized clinical studies were included with a total of 481 patients - 241 in the intervention group and 240 in the placebo group. Gabapentinoids reduced the incidence of succinylcholine-induced myalgia (RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.56−0.84, P < .001), which remained statistically significant for pregabalin (RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.54−0.93, P = .013) and gabapentin (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.45−0.82, P = .001) separately. There was no difference in fasciculations between the groups (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.82–1.03, P = .148). Preoperative use of gabapentinoids is associated with lower incidence of succinylcholine-induced myalgias within the first 24 h of surgery.