title: The effect of dexamethasone on post-tonsillectomy nausea, vomiting and bleeding.
abstract: It has been stated, that the administration of Dexamethasone has an impact on the morbidity following tonsillectomy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To re-calculate the blood values for Dexamethasone when given as fixed doses and to evaluate the effect of Dexamethasone on post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding rates following tonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of 272 children (2-15 years) who had undergone tonsillectomy were analyzed. The rates of post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding in relation to Dexamethasone were calculated-in general and different doses (0 mg/kg, <0.15 mg/kg, >0.15 mg/kg).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dexamethasone was administered in 121 children (43.7%) according to the preference of the anesthesist (mean dose: 0.2 +/- 0.12 mg/kg; range: 0.04 - 0.62 mg/kg). There was no significant difference in nausea and vomiting (p=0.953) or bleeding (p=0.827) across groups receiving or not receiving Dexamethasone. Stratification into three different groups of Dexamethasone concentration also did not identify a dose-related risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting (p=0.98) or bleeding (p=0.71).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At least under common non-controlled conditions in the clinic, Dexamethasone does not appear to have an effect on nausea or vomiting or bleeding following tonsillectomy.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic Head and Neck Surgery, Kliniken Maria Hilf Mönchengladbach, 41061 Mönchengladbach, Germany. hfdoliveira@yahoo.com.br
authors: Jochen P
authors: JP
authors: Windfuhr
authors: Yue-Shih
authors: YS
authors: Chen
authors: Evan J
authors: EJ
authors: Propst
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Güldner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D003907:Dexamethasone