Effect of i.v. dexamethasone on postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain during canal wall-up mastoidectomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic i.v. administration of 10 mg of dexamethasone reduced postoperative dizziness and nausea without adverse effects in patients undergoing canal wall-up mastoidectomy, but did not reduce postoperative pain.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone in reducing postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain in patients undergoing canal wall-up mastoidectomy.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed between January 2002 and December 2004. A total of 162 patients (66 males, 96 females) scheduled for canal wall-up mastoidectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either i.v. dexamethasone (10 mg in 2 ml) or i.v. placebo (2 ml of normal saline) during mastoidectomy. A standard general anesthetic technique was employed throughout the surgical procedure. At 3, 6 and 24 h after surgery, patients completed questionnaires regarding postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain, with their responses being given on a visual analog scale.


RESULTS
There were no postoperative complications in either group. Compared to the placebo group, the dexamethasone group showed reduced postoperative dizziness and reduced nausea (p<0.05 for both) at 24 h postoperatively. Compared to the placebo group, dexamethasone had no effect on postoperative pain.
Ahn
Joong Ho
JH
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. meniere@amc.seoul.kr
Kim
Mi Ra
MR
Kim
Ki Hyung
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*
D000932:Antiemetics; D003907:Dexamethasone