title: Efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 75 patients, 20 men and 55 women, received intravenously placebo or dexamethasone at 2 different doses (4 and 8 mg) (n=25 of each) at the end of surgery. A standard general anesthetic technique was used. PONV and analgesic requirements were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of patients experiencing PONV during the first 24 hours after anesthesia was 64% with dexamethasone 4 mg (P=0.269) and 28% with dexamethasone 8 mg (P=0.001), compared with placebo (76%). The need of indomethacin for intolerable pain was less in patients who had received dexamethasone 8 mg than in those who had received placebo (P=0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexamethasone 8 mg effectively decreases PONV and analgesic requirements after thyroidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology; University of Tsukuba Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, Japan. yfujii@med.toho-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000932:Antiemetics; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007213:Indomethacin