These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Use of intravenous steroids at induction of anaesthesia for adult tonsillectomy to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.
    Author: McKean S, Kochilas X, Kelleher R, Dockery M.
    Journal: Clin Otolaryngol; 2006 Feb; 31(1):36-40. PubMed ID: 16441800.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of intravenous steroids at induction of anaesthetic to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain after adult tonsillectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial, with ethical approval, following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. SETTING: District General Hospital in Scotland, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two adults between 16 and 70 years, American Association of Anaethetists (ASA) 1, listed for elective tonsillectomy. INTERVENTION: Single dose of either 10 mg of dexamethasone or 2 mL of saline after induction with a consistent anaesthetic technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients filled in a visual analogue scale relating to pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting for the day of operation and 7 days after operation. The time to first ingestion of food and drink after operation was also noted. RESULTS: Data completion rate of 64% (46 of 72 patients enrolled). Statistically significant relative decrease (62%P = 0.001) in the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. Statistically significant relative decrease (23%P = 0.016) in post-operative pain scores for the day of operation was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. Significant decrease (17.5%, P < 0.001) in mean pain score for seven post-operative days was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. No adverse effects were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone given as a single dose of 10 mg at induction of anaesthesia for adult tonsillectomy is an effective, safe and inexpensive method for reducing morbidity in adult tonsillectomy.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]