Khan JS, et al. - Considering prior literature proposing possible efficacy of intravenous lidocaine and perioperative pregabalin in preventing persistent pain after breast cancer surgery, researchers conducted a multicenter 2-by-2 factorial randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of 100 female patients undergoing breast cancer surgery and investigated the practicability of conducting a larger definitive trial. They randomly assigned patients to receive an intraoperative lidocaine infusion (1.5 mg/kg bolus followed by 2 mg/kg/hr) or placebo and perioperative pregabalin (300 mg preoperatively, 75 mg twice daily for nine days) or placebo. While no interaction between lidocaine and pregabalin was noted, lidocaine led to reduction in the development of persistent neuropathic pain. They noted no reduce persistent pain with pregabalin. No influence of pregabalin or lidocaine was observed on acute postoperative pain, opioid consumption, pain interference, or quality of life. This pilot trial successfully demonstrated the feasibility of conducting further trials of intraoperative lidocaine infusions in breast cancer surgeries.