Use of Intravenous Steroids at Induction of Anesthesia for Septoplasty to Reduce Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting and Pain: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

To determine the effectiveness of dexamethasone
to reduce pain, nausea and vomiting after septoplasty.
Study is a prospective double-blind randomized controlled
trial. A total of 90 patients were enrolled and received an
either of dexamethasone or placebo in the induction of
anesthesia. The patients were asked to note the level of
pain on the visual analogue scale in the first 24 h after
surgery. They also had to record their severity of nausea
and number of vomiting attacks. There were statistically
significant differences between the two groups for the level
of pain noted on the visual analogue scale. The severity of
nausea was lower after treatment with dexamethasone but
the difference between two groups was not significant.
There was also a significant decrease in the number of
vomiting attacks in patients treated with dexamethasone. A
single dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone, given intravenously,
at induction of anesthesia for septoplasty significantly
decreased the pain, post-operative nausea and
vomiting for the day of operation