Effects of Preoperative Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Cho, Eun Jung; Lee, Keun Ho; Lee, Young Jun

Clinical Research

General Article

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2007;2(1):46-50.
Published online January 30, 2007.

Effects of Preoperative Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Eun Jung Cho, Keun Ho Lee, Young Jun Lee

¹Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. gkjw2000@yahoo.co.kr
²Department of Surgery, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pain is the dominating symptom after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative dexamethasone on the level of postoperative pain and fatigue in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Thirty patients aged from 20 to 70 years undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive either intravenous dexamethasone (5 mg) or a placebo 90-120 minutes before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients received a similar anesthetic and multimodal analgesic treatment. The level of pain at rest and during coughing, as well as fatigue were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the pain score and fatigue for 24 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative administration of dexamethasone at 5 mg does not reduce the level of postoperative pain and fatigue after laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the first 24 hours after surgery.

Key Words: dexamethasone, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, postoperative pain