Korean J Anesthesiol.  2022 Feb;75(1):71-78. 10.4097/kja.21284.

Effects of dexamethasone on catheter-related bladder discomfort and emergence agitation: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial

• Cho SA
• Huh I
• Lee SJ
• Sung TY
• Ku GW
• Cho CK
• Jee YS

• KMID: 2529988
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kja.21284

Abstract

Background
Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is common in patients with a urinary catheter and is a risk factor for emergence agitation (EA). The mainstay of CRBD management is anticholinergics. Dexamethasone inhibits acetylcholine release. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on postoperative CRBD and EA.
Methods
In this prospective study, 90 patients undergoing urological surgery requiring urinary catheterization were allocated randomly to one of two groups (each n = 45). Before induction of anesthesia, the dexamethasone group received 10 mg (2 ml) of dexamethasone intravenously, while the control group received 2 ml of saline in the same manner. The incidence and severity of CRBD were assessed 0, 1, 2, and 6 h after the patient arrived in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) as the primary outcomes. The incidence and severity of EA were also compared during emergence and recovery from anesthesia as secondary outcomes.
Results
The incidences of CRBD in the control group and dexamethasone group at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postoperatively were 28.9% and 15.6%, 55.6% and 55.6%, 57.8% and 46.7%, and 53.3% and 51.1%, respectively. The incidence and severity of CRBD assessed at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postoperatively did not show intergroup differences. The incidence and severity of EA in the operating room and PACU also showed no difference between the groups.
Conclusions
Dexamethasone (10 mg) administered before induction of anesthesia did not further reduce the incidence or severity of CRBD or EA in patients undergoing urological surgery.

Keyword

Anesthesia; Catheter-related bladder discomfort; Dexamethasone; Emergence agitation; Incidence; Urinary catheter