Abstract

Dexamethasone has been reported to reduce the incidence of post operative nausea, vomiting and pain in patients undergoing various surgical procedures including laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Very few randomized clinical trials have addressed the effect of the administration of a preoperative single dose of a glucocorticoid on surgical outcome
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a single dose of dexamethasone before surgery would improve nausea, vomiting and pain in patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Methods: 100 Patients were randomly selected and were assigned to two groups D1 and D2. D1 group consisted of patients who were given 8 mg of dexamethasone immediately before the surgery and D2 group was given normal saline 5 ml and the incidence of post operative nausea, vomiting and pain in both groups   was assessed at 6, 12 and 24 hrs. Administering dexamethasone at the time of induction reduced the postoperative nausea, vomiting, pain, the need for antiemetic, analgesic and patient discomfort which helps in early recovery, ambulation, and timely discharge, besides reducing financial implications to the patient and to the hospital as well.
Conclusion: This study concludes that preoperative dexamethasone (8 mg) reduced pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, when compared with placebo, and is recommended for routine use.