Effects of Methylprednisolone on Immunological Function and Postoperative Pain
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-01-15
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Surgical trauma is characterized by a tightly integrated sequence of neurohumoral and
immunological processes. When this is marked, it can manifest as a clinical entity called the
systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Previous studies reported that inflammatory milieu
in the postoperative period can be a harmful and potentially modifiable condition that may
affect postoperative recovery, which includes the level of pain, fatigue, dizziness, nausea
and vomiting (PONV), muscle weakness, and sleep quality and then increases the need for
hospitalization. The effect of postoperative inflammation-related immune suppression such as
the T-cell exhaustion and lymphocyte anergy may render the patient vulnerable to both
infection and the recurrence of malignancy on postoperative infection risk and malignancy
recurrence are currently subjects of intense speculation and investigation.
Glucocorticoids are well known for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive
agents and antiemetic effects. Though previous studies' results on postoperative outcome have
been positive and in favor of glucocorticoid use, with postoperative nausea and vomiting and
pain outcome parameters most significantly improved. However, high-dose methylprednisolone
treatment could result in decreases T-cells postoperatively. Based on these consideration,
the aim of our study was to assess the effect of a single low-dose preoperative
methylprednisolone (MP) 1 mg/Kg i.v. on postoperative pain and immune functions in patients
undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under general anesthesia.