Efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 75 patients, 20 men and 55 women, received intravenously placebo or dexamethasone at 2 different doses (4 and 8 mg) (n=25 of each) at the end of surgery. A standard general anesthetic technique was used. PONV and analgesic requirements were evaluated.

RESULTS

The rate of patients experiencing PONV during the first 24 hours after anesthesia was 64% with dexamethasone 4 mg (P=0.269) and 28% with dexamethasone 8 mg (P=0.001), compared with placebo (76%). The need of indomethacin for intolerable pain was less in patients who had received dexamethasone 8 mg than in those who had received placebo (P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Dexamethasone 8 mg effectively decreases PONV and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.