Dexamethasone prophylaxis before thyroidectomy to reduce postoperative nausea, pain, and vocal dysfunction: a...

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pain are common complications following thyroidectomy.
• Assessing interventions to mitigate these adverse effects is crucial for patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a single preoperative dose of a steroid, specifically dexamethasone, in managing PONV, pain, and vocal function after thyroidectomy for benign conditions.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 102 patients undergoing thyroidectomy.
• Patients received either intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) or a saline placebo before anesthesia.
• Outcomes assessed included nausea severity, antiemetic use, pain levels, analgesic requirements, and subjective voice analysis.

Main Results:

• Dexamethasone significantly reduced nausea severity and the need for antiemetic drugs (p = .0001).
• Patients receiving dexamethasone reported significantly less pain (p = .008) and required fewer analgesics (p = .048).
• No significant difference in subjective voice analysis was observed between the groups (p = .693).

Conclusions:

• A single intravenous dose of 8 mg dexamethasone is a safe and effective prophylactic measure against PONV and pain after thyroidectomy.
• Routine administration of preoperative dexamethasone is recommended to enhance patient recovery and comfort following thyroid resection.