Effects of Preoperative Administration of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Effects of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain

Abstract

Background:

Most patients undergoing common surgical procedures under general anaesthesia complain of postoperative nausea, vomiting and pain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of single dose administration of dexamethasone on post-operative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Methodology:

This cross sectional study was conducted at PAF Hospital Islamabad from 1^st January 2023 till 31^st June 2023. Ninety-two patients of both genders underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A was given 8 mg dexamethasone (dissolved in 100ml 0.9% isotonic normal saline) intravenously 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia (n=46). Group B patients received 100ml 0.9% normal saline only (n=46). Episodes of pain were recorded using VAS (visual analogue scale) at baseline, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours post-anaesthesia.

Results:

Age range in this study was from 20 to 60 years. Out of 92 patients, 51 were males and 41 were females with male to female ratio of 1.2:1. VAS was 5.17 ± 1.10 in group A and 5.02 ± 1.14 in group B at baseline, 4.87 ± 0.86 in group A and 4.85 ± 0.87 in group B at 1 hours, 3.46 ± 1.00 in group A and 4.65 ± 0.74 in group B at 3 hours, 2.93 ± 0.95 in group A and 4.50 ± 0.78 in group B at 6 hours, 3.11 ± 0.77 in group A and 4.50 ± 1.09 in group B at 12 hours. VAS score of Group A were lower (2.41 ± 1.39) than that of Group B (4.61 ± 0.77) at 24 hours.

Conclusion:

Single dose of dexamethasone at the time of induction of anaesthesia significantly decrease the pain in 24 hours of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Keywords:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, post-operative pain, dexamethasone