Dexamethasone Before Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: a Randomized Controlled Dose–response Study

Purpose A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone, in different dosages, in providing postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). Method The study included 55 patients randomly divided into three groups. Patients in Groups P, D4, and D8 received saline, 4, and 8 mg dexamethasone, respectively, intravenously, 2 h before induction. Results The time to first analgesic requirement was significantly delayed in patients in the D8 group compared with the D4 group ( P = 0.01) and placebo ( P = 0.01). Total postoperative fentanyl consumption was significantly less in patients in the D8 group compared with the D4 group ( P = 0.01) and placebo ( P = 0.01). Use of 8 mg dexamethasone resulted in a 99.3 mcg decrease in total 24-h fentanyl consumption. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was significantly less in the D8 group with a complete response rate (no emetic episodes and no rescue medication for 24 h) of 36.8% compared with the placebo group in which all the patients had PONV. No adverse effects were observed in any group. Conclusion Dexamethasone at a dose of 8 mg given intravenously 2 h before induction, delays patient request for analgesia and reduces total fentanyl consumption and PONV in patients undergoing TLH.