Abstract:
Background: Intrathecal pethidine provides excellent post-operative analgesia but is associated with significant nausea, vomiting and other side effects. Present study was done to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone to enhance post-operative analgesia and to reduce the side effects. Methodology: In this prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study a total of 80 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II, undergoing elective lower limb orthopedic surgery under sub-arachnoid block were randomized into two groups. Group C (n=40) received 2 ml saline (as placebo) and Group D (n=40) received 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone intravenously as a bolus before intrathecal anesthesia. In all patients spinal anesthesia was administered with 15 mg bupivacaine and 15 mg pethidine. After surgery, patients were asked to score their pain at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hr by VAS score. The presence of post-operative nausea vomiting (PONY), pruritus and respiratory depression were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The pain score on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after surgery, mean number of rescue analgesic doses in 24 hours and the incidence of PONY were significantly lower (p
Page(s):
254-259
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Anaesthesia, Pain and Intensive Care, Volume: 19, Issue: 3, Year: 2015