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

Author(s): Fujii Y, Nakayama M

Affiliation(s): Department of Anesthesiology, University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, Japan.

Publication date & source: 2007-09-25, Int J Gynaecol Obstet., [Epub ahead of print]

Publication type:

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.