title: Use of dexamethasone on the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after tympanomastoid surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients (n = 40 in each of two groups) undergoing tympanomastoid surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  After tracheal intubation, group 1 received 10 mg dexamethasone intravenously, whereas group 2 received saline intravenously. Several parameters concerning with the occurrence of PONV were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that dexamethasone reduced the total incidence of nausea and vomiting by 45%, with a 95% confidence interval of 26% to 64% (P <.001). Furthermore, dexamethasone reduced the incidence of vomiting episodes >4 times and the incidence of patients requiring rescue antiemetics (P <.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone at a dosage of 10 mg administered intravenously is effective in preventing PONV in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010919:Placebos; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014433:Tympanoplasty; D014839:Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000932:Antiemetics; D010919:Placebos; D003907:Dexamethasone