The Effect of Perioperative Pregabalin on the Incidence of Chronic Post-thoracotomy Pain Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Elective open thoracotomy for primary thoracic surgery, understanding and provision of written informed consent, ASA class I II or III Exclusion Criteria: * Inability ot adhere to study protocol: * intolerance or hypersensitivity to any agents to be used in the study, contraindication to thoracic epidural placement * inability to respond to the study questionnaire * renal insufficiency(serum creatinine \> 1.5 upper limit of normal) * Body Mass index \> 40 * planned post-operative ventilation. * Confounding procedural factors which might affect validity of data: * previous ipsilateral thoracotomy * surgery for tumor extending into the chest wall * rest pain in proposed surgical area pre-operatively * chest tube in situ at time of surgery * requirement for second thoracotomy or re-occurrence of disease after surgery \*isolated pleuroscopy or pleurodesis procedures. * Potential interaction with study medications and patient's current medications: * current alcohol or other substance abuse * chronic steroid use * pre-existing chronic pain requiring chronic analgesic use * history of seizure disorder requiring treatment with an anticonvulsant * current therapy with thiazolidinedione class oral hypoglycemic agents (eg, Actos, Avandia or Avandamet) * history of congestive heart failure * major psychiatric disorder * any contraindication to use of NSAIDs. * Insufficient safety data in the patient population: * patients requiring preoperative assistance or assistive device for ambulation, pregnant or breastfeeding * weight \<50 Kg * dizziness while inpatient.