The effect of single dose intravenous dexamethasone in tonsillectomy in children

A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 41 patients evaluating the effect of a single preoperative dose of intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative vomiting and pain in children undergoing elective tonsillectomy. Dexamethasone was found to significantly reduce the incidence of vomiting in the first 24 hours postoperatively (P = 0.02), the time to first intake of solids (P = 0.001), the need to administer a rescue antiemetic (P = 0.005) and intravenous fluid therapy requirements (P = 0.006) in the postoperative period. No significant difference was found between the dexamethasone and placebo groups in the time to first intake of fluids, pain scores or analgesic requirement postoperatively. These results indicate that dexamethasone substantially reduces morbidity after tonsillectomy in children.