Popis: |
Background Post-operative analgesic effect of a perioperative fixed dose glucocorticoid has been demonstrated in studies on different surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to look for analgesic and opioid sparing effect after thyroid surgery with a weight-adjusted medium dose of dexamethasone compared with placebo or a higher dose. Further, to register other effects and side effects of dexamethasone in the 0–30 days post-operative period. Methods One hundred and twenty patients scheduled for thyroid surgery were randomly assigned to three groups receiving either dexamethasone 0.30 mg/kg, 0.15 mg/kg or placebo. Pain scores at rest and on coughing, post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), consumption of opioids and anti-emetics, appetite, sleep pattern, fatigue, mood, blood sugar, wound infection and dyspepsia were recorded. Results There was no effect of either dexamethasone doses on post-operative pain or rescue opioid consumption. PONV was lower in the dexamethasone groups 2–4 h post-operatively (P |