Analgesic Effect of Preoperative Dexamethasone in Gynecological Laparotomies - a Dose-ranging Study
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2012-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The objective of the study is to examine the effect of the addition of intravenous
dexamethasone 1.5 hours prior to induction of anesthesia on the post-operative opioid
consumption, pain scores, fatigue, and recovery in patients undergoing gynecological surgery
with laparotomy under general anesthesia.
This is a dose finding study with two different doses (0.1 mg/kg vs. 0.2 mg/kg) of
dexamethasone to find out the optimal efficacious dose of dexamethasone with minimal side
effects.
Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and analgesic effects; and is superior
to placebo in providing post-operative pain control, lower analgesic consumption, prevention
of postoperative nausea and vomiting, lesser post-operative fatigue, and better recovery
profile. No dose response study has been done. The investigators hypothesize that a higher
dose of dexamethasone may have an incremental beneficial effect.