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Influence of Dexamethasone on Nausea and Vomiting during Patient-Controlled Analgesia with Tramadol

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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with tramadol.

Methods: 50 patients [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I–II] were enrolled in this randomised, placebo-controlled study. In group I, saline was administered as a control. In group II, 150 μg/kg dexamethasone was administered as an intravenous bolus and then tramadol added in the PCA device. We assessed PONV and the need for rescue antiemetics in the 24 hours postoperatively.

Results: 17 of 25 dexamethasone-treated patients (68%) had no nausea, four patients (16%) experienced nausea, two patients (8%) retched, two patients (8%) vomited once, no patients vomited repeatedly and seven patients (28%) required rescue antiemetics. In the placebo-treated group, three of 25 patients (12%) had no nausea, 12 (48%) had nausea, three (12%) retched, three patients (12%) vomited once, four patients (16%) vomited repeatedly and 17 patients (68%) required a rescue antiemetic. The incidence of nausea, vomiting and administration of a rescue antiemetic were significantly less in dexamethasone recipients compared with the saline-treated group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in the pain score results or in the consumption of tramadol.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that a single dose of dexamethasone reduced the incidence of PONV during PCA with tramadol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Selcuk of Meram, Akyoku/Meram, Konya, Turkey

    Sema Tuncer, Alper Yosunkaya & Aybars Tavlan

  2. Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, University of Selcuk of Meram, Konya, Turkey

    Hulagu Bariskaner

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  1. Sema Tuncer
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  2. Hulagu Bariskaner
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  3. Alper Yosunkaya
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  4. Aybars Tavlan
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Correspondence to Sema Tuncer.

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Tuncer, S., Bariskaner, H., Yosunkaya, A. et al. Influence of Dexamethasone on Nausea and Vomiting during Patient-Controlled Analgesia with Tramadol. Clin. Drug Investig. 22, 547–552 (2002). https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200222080-00007

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