J Korean Pain Soc.  1998 May;11(1):65-68.

The Effect of Epidural Dexamethasone after Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia

• Kim DH
• Kim TJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injection(ESI) is often adminstered to treat lower back pain, but its effect iveness on postepidural backache have not yet been determined.
METHODS
Sixty patients scheduled for cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive, 1 ml of normal saline(Group 1), or 5 mg of dexamethasone (Group 2), epidurally via indwelling catheter after delivery.
RESULTS
The incidences of postepidural backache occured significantly more often in Group 1(56.7%) than in Group 2(26.7%)(P<0.05). There was a significant association between postepidural backache and multiple attempts at epidural needle placement.
CONCLUSION
Epidural dexamethasone has a preventive effect on postepidural backache.

Keyword

Anesthetic techniques, epidural; Hormones, dexamethasone; Pain, back pain

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Epidural*
Back Pain
Catheters, Indwelling
Cesarean Section
Dexamethasone*
Female
Humans
Incidence
Low Back Pain
Needles
Pregnancy
Dexamethasone