The effect of dexamethasone on post-tonsillectomy nausea, vomiting and bleeding.

UNLABELLED: It has been stated, that the administration of Dexamethasone has an impact on the morbidity following tonsillectomy. OBJECTIVE: To re-calculate the blood values for Dexamethasone when given as fixed doses and to evaluate the effect of Dexamethasone on post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding rates following tonsillectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 272 children (2-15 years) who had undergone tonsillectomy were analyzed. The rates of post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding in relation to Dexamethasone were calculated-in general and different doses (0 mg/kg, <0.15 mg/kg, >0.15 mg/kg). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Dexamethasone was administered in 121 children (43.7%) according to the preference of the anesthesist (mean dose: 0.2 +/- 0.12 mg/kg; range: 0.04 - 0.62 mg/kg). There was no significant difference in nausea and vomiting (p=0.953) or bleeding (p=0.827) across groups receiving or not receiving Dexamethasone. Stratification into three different groups of Dexamethasone concentration also did not identify a dose-related risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting (p=0.98) or bleeding (p=0.71). CONCLUSION: At least under common non-controlled conditions in the clinic, Dexamethasone does not appear to have an effect on nausea or vomiting or bleeding following tonsillectomy.

The effect of dexamethasone on post-tonsillectomy nausea, vomiting and bleeding / Efeito da dexametasona sobre sangramento, vômito e náusea pós-amigdalectomia

It has been stated, that the administration of Dexamethasone has an impact on the morbidity following tonsillectomy. OBJECTIVE: To re-calculate the blood values for Dexamethasone when given as fixed doses and to evaluate the effect of Dexamethasone on post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding rates following tonsillectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 272 children (2-15 years) who had undergone tonsillectomy were analyzed. The rates of post-operative nausea, vomiting and bleeding in relation to Dexamethasone were calculated-in general and different doses (0 mg/kg, <0.15 mg/kg, >0.15 mg/kg). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Dexamethasone was administered in 121 children (43.7 percent) according to the preference of the anesthesist (mean dose: 0.2 +/- 0.12 mg/kg; range: 0.04 - 0.62 mg/kg). There was no significant difference in nausea and vomiting (p=0.953) or bleeding (p=0.827) across groups receiving or not receiving Dexamethasone. Stratification into three different groups of Dexamethasone concentration also did not identify a dose-related risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting (p=0.98) or bleeding (p=0.71). CONCLUSION: At least under common non-controlled conditions in the clinic, Dexamethasone does not appear to have an effect on nausea or vomiting or bleeding following tonsillectomy.

É conhecido o impacto da administração de dexametasona sobre a morbidade no pós-operatório de amigdalectomia. OBJETIVO: Recalcular os valores séricos para dexametasona quando administrada em doses fixas e avaliar seus efeitos sobre as taxas de náusea, vômito e sangramento no pós-operatório de amigdalectomia. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Analisamos os prontuários de 272 crianças (idades entre 2-15 anos) submetidas a amigdalectomias. As taxas de náusea, vômitos e sangramentos foram calculadas para a dexametasona em geral e em diferentes doses (0 mg/kg; <0,15 mg/kg; >0,15 mg/ kg). TIPO DE ESTUDO: Coorte retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: A dexametasona foi administrada em 121 crianças (43,7 por cento), baseado na preferência do anestesista (dose média: 0,2 +/- 0,12 mg/kg; variação: 0,04 - 0,62 mg/kg). Não houve diferença significativa em termos de náuseas e vômitos (p=0,953) ou sangramento (p=0,827) entre os grupos de pacientes que receberam e não receberam dexametasona. Mesmo a estratificação em três grupos de diferentes concentrações de dexametasona não identificou risco dose-dependente de náusea ou vômito pós-operatório (p=0,98) ou sangramento (p=0,71). CONCLUSÃO: Pelo menos sob condições não-controladas normais da clínica, a dexametasona parece não ter efeito sobre a incidência de náuseas, vômito ou sangramento após amigdalectomia.