[Effects of dexamethasone on epidural morphine-related nausea and vomiting].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of intravenous dexamethasone injections in preventing nausea and vomiting resulted from epidural morphine for post-operation pain relief.


METHODS
Eighty-four adult patients (ASA class I to II ) requiring epidural anesthesia for low abdominal surgical procedures were randomly divided into 2 groups, of which Group 1 (n=42) received intravenous dexamethasone injections at 10 mg and Group 2 (n=42) intravenous injection of 2 ml normal saline before administration of 2 mg epidural morphine for post-operation pain relief. The incidence of nausea and vomiting were recorded within 24 h after surgery.


RESULTS
The incidence of nausea and vomiting were 12% and 7% in Group 1, while 31% and 21% in Group 2 respectively, showing significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.05). The total incidence of nausea and vomiting were also significantly different (19% vs 52%, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous dexamethasone injections at 10 mg can significantly decrease the incidence of epidural morphine-related nausea and vomiting.
Wu
You-Wu
YW
Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Xu
Jian-She
JS
Chen
Zhong-Qing
ZQ
Gu
Miao-Ning
MN
Wang
Yu-Zheng
YZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000932:Antiemetics; D009020:Morphine; D003907:Dexamethasone