The Importance of Dexamethasone in Perioperative Care

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 76 views

The Effect of Giving a Single Dose Dexamethasone to Pain and Nausea-Vomiting after Surgery in Patients with Spinal Anesthesia

Introduction

Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid that has a very small mineralocorticoid effect, making it a popular choice for perioperative use. This medication is often used to reduce nausea and postoperative vomiting (PONV) or provide analgesic effects after surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of giving dexamethasone with a single dose of 2 ml (equivalent to 10 mg) on the incidence of pain and nausea-vomiting after surgery in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.

The Importance of Dexamethasone in Perioperative Care

Dexamethasone has been widely used in the context of perioperative care due to its ability to reduce inflammation and provide analgesic effects. This medication has been shown to be effective in reducing PONV and pain after surgical procedures. However, the optimal dose and timing of dexamethasone administration remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on pain and nausea-vomiting after surgery in patients with spinal anesthesia.

Research Methods

This study was conducted as an experimental study with a double-blind randomized control trial design at the Adam Malik Medan Hajj Hospital and the University of North Sumatra Hospital in the period January to February 2019. The total sample involved in this study was 72 patients, which was divided into two groups. One group received dexamethasone with a dose of 2 ml (10 mg) intravenously, while the other group received placebo.

Research Results

The results showed that in the groups that received dexamethasone, most of the value of the visual analog scale (VAS) was 3, which was as many as 15 samples (41.7%). Conversely, the placebo group showed a VAS value similar to the same frequency in VAS 3 and VAS 4, each of 15 samples (41.7%). In addition, the dexamethasone group also recorded 14 samples (38.9%) with VAS 2 value, while the placebo group showed the value of VAS 5, also with 15 samples (41.7%).

Further analysis shows that the VAS value in the control group (NaCl 0.9%) has a higher average than the dexamethasone treatment group. In the control group, there is an increase in the average VAS value that reaches the highest point at T1 (6 hours after surgery), before finally decreasing after the administration of additional analgesics (ketorolac 30 mg) in patients who experience pain with a VAS value of more than 4.

Conclusion

Giving a single dose dexamethasone 2 ml (10 mg) is proven to have a significant effect on the incidence of PONV, with a value of P = 0.007. This shows a significant relationship between the administration of dexamethasone and pain reduction and postoperative-vomiting nausea. This finding emphasizes the importance of using dexamethasone as part of pain management and nausea in patients who undergo spinal anesthesia, with the hope of improving the quality of treatment and experience of postoperative patients.

The Benefits of Dexamethasone in Anesthesiology

This study provides valuable insights on the benefits of dexamethasone, which can be a more effective therapeutic choice in the practice of anesthesiology, especially in the context of surgery. The use of dexamethasone can reduce the incidence of PONV and pain after surgery, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Future Directions

Further studies are needed to investigate the optimal dose and timing of dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. Additionally, the use of dexamethasone in combination with other medications, such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, should be explored to determine its effectiveness in reducing PONV and pain after surgery.

Limitations of the Study

This study had several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a double-blind randomized control trial design. Additionally, the study only investigated the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on pain and nausea-vomiting after surgery in patients with spinal anesthesia, and further studies are needed to investigate its effectiveness in other patient populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides evidence that giving a single dose dexamethasone 2 ml (10 mg) can reduce the incidence of PONV and pain after surgery in patients with spinal anesthesia. This finding emphasizes the importance of using dexamethasone as part of pain management and nausea in patients who undergo spinal anesthesia, with the hope of improving the quality of treatment and experience of postoperative patients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Giving a Single Dose Dexamethasone to Pain and Nausea-Vomiting after Surgery in Patients with Spinal Anesthesia

Q: What is dexamethasone and how is it used in perioperative care?

A: Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid that has a very small mineralocorticoid effect, making it a popular choice for perioperative use. It is often used to reduce nausea and postoperative vomiting (PONV) or provide analgesic effects after surgical procedures.

Q: What was the aim of this study?

A: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of giving dexamethasone with a single dose of 2 ml (equivalent to 10 mg) on the incidence of pain and nausea-vomiting after surgery in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.

Q: What was the research design of this study?

A: This study was conducted as an experimental study with a double-blind randomized control trial design at the Adam Malik Medan Hajj Hospital and the University of North Sumatra Hospital in the period January to February 2019.

Q: How many patients were involved in this study?

A: The total sample involved in this study was 72 patients, which was divided into two groups. One group received dexamethasone with a dose of 2 ml (10 mg) intravenously, while the other group received placebo.

Q: What were the results of this study?

A: The results showed that in the groups that received dexamethasone, most of the value of the visual analog scale (VAS) was 3, which was as many as 15 samples (41.7%). Conversely, the placebo group showed a VAS value similar to the same frequency in VAS 3 and VAS 4, each of 15 samples (41.7%).

Q: What does this study suggest about the use of dexamethasone in perioperative care?

A: This study provides evidence that giving a single dose dexamethasone 2 ml (10 mg) can reduce the incidence of PONV and pain after surgery in patients with spinal anesthesia. This finding emphasizes the importance of using dexamethasone as part of pain management and nausea in patients who undergo spinal anesthesia.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study had several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a double-blind randomized control trial design. Additionally, the study only investigated the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on pain and nausea-vomiting after surgery in patients with spinal anesthesia, and further studies are needed to investigate its effectiveness in other patient populations.

Q: What are the implications of this study for clinical practice?

A: This study suggests that dexamethasone can be a useful adjunct to pain management and nausea in patients who undergo spinal anesthesia. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose and timing of dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using dexamethasone in perioperative care?

A: The use of dexamethasone can reduce the incidence of PONV and pain after surgery, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Q: What are the potential risks or side effects of using dexamethasone in perioperative care?

A: The use of dexamethasone can have potential risks or side effects, including increased risk of infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cardiovascular events. However, the benefits of using dexamethasone in perioperative care may outweigh the risks in certain patient populations.

Q: What are the next steps in research on the use of dexamethasone in perioperative care?

A: Further studies are needed to investigate the optimal dose and timing of dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia. Additionally, the use of dexamethasone in combination with other medications, such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, should be explored to determine its effectiveness in reducing PONV and pain after surgery.