Dexamethasone for reduction of nausea, vomiting and analgesic use after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the prophylactic use of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and analgesic use after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

METHODS:

In a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 90 women received either intravenous placebo, 4 mg dexamethasone or 8 mg dexamethasone at the end of surgery. PONV and analgesic requirements were evaluated.

RESULTS:

The rate of patients experiencing PONV within 24 h after anesthesia was 53% in the 4 mg dexamethasone group (P=0.3) and 20% in the 8 mg dexamethasone group (P=0.001), compared with the placebo group (63%). Requests for indomethacin to relieve intolerable pain were less in patients in the 8 mg dexamethasone group compared with the 4 mg dexamethasone (P=0.047) or placebo (P=0.029) groups.

CONCLUSION:

Prophylactic use of 8 mg dexamethasone is effective for reducing PONV and analgesic requirements after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

• Authors: Y Fujii, M Nakayama
• Journal: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Int J Gynaecol Obstet) Vol. 100 Issue 1 Pg. 27-30 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 0020-7292 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17900579 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Retracted Publication)

Chemical References

• Antiemetics
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Adult
• Anesthesia, General (adverse effects)
• Antiemetics (therapeutic use)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Gynecologic Surgical Procedures (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Laparoscopy (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (prevention & control)