The effect of dexamethasone upon patient-controlled analgesia-related nausea and vomiting.
Ninety female patients were enrolled in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the anti-emetic effect of intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg with saline control in preventing patient-controlled analgesia-related nausea and vomiting following major orthopaedic surgery. The prophylactic administration of dexamethasone 8 mg significantly reduced the overall incidence of patient-controlled analgesia-related nausea and vomiting (p<0.001) and the need for rescue anti-emetics (p<0.01). Furthermore, patients who received dexamethasone showed a higher incidence of complete responses (no vomiting or need for rescue anti-emetic for a 24-h postoperative period) than those who received saline (p<0.05). We conclude that dexamethasone 8 mg may be valuable for preventing patient-controlled analgesia-related nausea and vomiting in women undergoing major orthopaedic surgery.
Department of Anaesthesiology, Tzu-Chi Medical Center, Tsu-Chi University School of Medicine, No. 707 Section 3, Chung-Yang Road, Hualien, Taiwan, Rebublic of China. drleeyi@sinamail.com
Yi
Y
Lee
Y S
YS
Lin
Y H
YH
Chen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D009020:Morphine; D003907:Dexamethasone