Korean J Anesthesiol.  2008 Jun;54(6):651-655. 10.4097/kjae.2008.54.6.651.

The Effect of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain and Nausea and Vomiting after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Younger and Older Patients

• Kim HY
• Lee KC
• Lee MJ
• Park PE
• Koo JW

• KMID: 1763521
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2008.54.6.651

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although postoperative pain is reduced compared with an open cholecystectomy, effective analgesic treatment after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy has remained a clinical challenge.
METHODS
Of sixty patients having general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thirty received intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg (Dexa group) and thirty received intravenous normal saline (Control group) before induction of anesthesia. Again, Dexa and Control group was divided the Younger group (20-50 yrs) and Older group (> or =65 yrs). Pain was assessed 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery and recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS). Experiences of Nausea and vomiting were assessed within the first postoperative 24 hours.
RESULTS
In the Younger group, the VAS scores at postoperative 1 and 6 hours were significantly lower in the Dexa group than Control group. In the Older group, the VAS scores at postoperative 12 and 24 hours were significantly lower in the Dexa group than Control group. In the Dexa group, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting of the Younger group was significantly lower than the Older group.
CONCLUSIONS
There were differences in the analgesic effects of dexamethasone after laparoscopic cholecystectomy between the younger and older patients. Dexamathasone wasn't effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting in the older patients.

Keyword

dexamethasone; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; postoperative nausea and vomiting; postoperative pain

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Cholecystectomy
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
Dexamethasone
Humans
Incidence
Nausea
Pain, Postoperative
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Vomiting
Dexamethasone