Use of dexamethasone on the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after tympanomastoid surgery.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery. Eighty patients (n = 40 in each of two groups) undergoing tympanomastoid surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. After tracheal intubation, group 1 received 10 mg dexamethasone intravenously, whereas group 2 received saline intravenously. Several parameters concerning with the occurrence of PONV were evaluated. We found that dexamethasone reduced the total incidence of nausea and vomiting by 45%, with a 95% confidence interval of 26% to 64% (P <.001). Furthermore, dexamethasone reduced the incidence of vomiting episodes >4 times and the incidence of patients requiring rescue antiemetics (P <.05). Dexamethasone at a dosage of 10 mg administered intravenously is effective in preventing PONV in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery.