ABSTRACT
To determine the effects of a single dose of dexamethasone on post-operative morbidity in patients undergoing tonsillectomy / adeno-tonsillectomy Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial Al-Sabah and Zain Ear, Nose, Throat Hospital, Kuwait Eighty patients [47 male and 33 female], aged between 5 and 18 years, undergoing tonsillectomy and/ or adenoidectomy. Patients were randomized to receive a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone or placebo [saline] Post-operative pain, nausea, vomiting and edema were the primary outcome measures. Fever, time taken to resume oral fluids, duration of hospital stay, frequency of re-admission, and time taken for complete healing of the tonsil bed were also compared between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were noted in pain scores, post-operative nausea and vomiting [PONV], tolerance to oral fluids, discharge from hospital, re-admission and wound healing between the two groups of patients. In this study, dexamethasone did not significantly exert any effect on fever in the first 24 hours in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. A single intra-operative dose of dexamethasone is an effective and safe method for reducing post-operative morbidity in tonsillectomy / adenotonsillectomy patients