Anesth Pain Med.  2007 Jan;2(1):46-50.

Effects of Preoperative Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

• Cho EJ
• Lee KH
• Lee YJ

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.

Keyword

dexamethasone; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; postoperative pain

MeSH Terms

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic*
Cough
Dexamethasone*
Fatigue
Humans
Pain, Postoperative*
Dexamethasone