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

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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