title: Dexamethasone in preventing post-dural puncture headache: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Spinal anesthesia is major complication is Post-Dural Puncture Headache (PDPH) which is an intense and debilitating event. We decided to assess if intravenous administration of dexamethasone can decrease the incidence and/or intensity of this kind of headache. For this purpose 178 patients, who were supposed to undergo lower extremity orthopedic surgery, were enrolled in the study . Before spinal anesthesia was initiated, the first group (DXM-group) received 2 mL intravenous (i.v) dexamethasone whereas the second group (PCB-group) received 2 mL i.v. normal saline. After termination of surgery, a 7 days follow-up started to observe the possible occurrence and intensity of PDPH. There was no statistically significant difference between DMX and PCB groups regarding the incidence of PDPH. However, the intensity of headache differed between the two groups being less severe if IV dexamethasone had been given prophylactically. Dexamethasone can be used to decrease the severity of PDPH in patients who receive spinal anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Kerman Medical University, Kerman, Iran. swt_f@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Doroudian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norouzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esmailie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanhaeivash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051299:Post-Dural Puncture Headache / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone