Preoperative single-dose intravenous dexamethasone during ambulatory surgery: update around the benefit versus risk.
OBJECTIVE
Pain, emesis, and fatigue are not uncommon symptoms after ambulatory surgery having impact on patients' satisfaction with quality of care. Multimodal management of postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting has become standard of care.


RESULTS
There is a growing body of evidence for the beneficial effects from preoperative single-dose intravenous (i.v.) glucocorticoids for reducing pain, emesis, and fatigue, thereby improving the recovery process and patient satisfaction. Side-effects are infrequently reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits versus risk associated to single preoperative i.v. dose of dexamethasone seem positive based on current evidence facilitating the recovery reducing pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Jakobsson
Jan
J
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000932:Antiemetics; D003907:Dexamethasone