Single dose dexamethasone as antiemetic following abdominal hysterectomy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of single -dose dexamethasone [8 mg] on postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Metoclopramide and saline served as controls. One hundred twenty women [40 in each of the three groups] undergoing abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. After tracheal intubation, group I received IV dexamethasone 8 mg, whereas groups II and III received IV metoclopramide 10 mg and saline, respectively. Patients in-group I reported a lower incidence of PONV and requested less rescue antiemetics than those in group III during the first four postoperative hours [P <0.01]. Patients in group I reported a lower incidence of PONV than those in groups II [P <0.05] and III [P <0.01] during the 24-hr postoperative period. Groups II and III did not differ from each other in the incidence of PONV and the proportion of patients who requested rescue antiemetics. We thus conclude that prophylactic IV dexamethasone 8 mg significantly reduces the incidence of PONV in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. At this dose, dexamethasone is more effective than metoclopramide 10 mg or placebo