The Effect of Prophylactic Antiemetic Dexamethasone on Plasma Cortisol Levels
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Dexamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid that has been proven to be effective and
relatively safe for the prophylaxis of the postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
However, little is known about its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
after surgery. The investigators hypothesize that it will inhibit the normal physiologic HPA
surge and reduce cortisol levels post-operatively ia a dose-dependant fashion. To answer this
question, the investigators will conduct a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled
trial with two different doses of dexamethasone in women undergoing elective gynecologic
laparotomy.