This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (28) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Aouad, M. T. Articles by Baraka, MD, A. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Aouad, M. T. Articles by Baraka, MD, A. S. Related Collections Anesthetic Techniques Pediatrics

---

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA

The Effect of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Vomiting After Tonsillectomy

Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Anis Baraka, MD, FRCA, Department of Anesthesiology, American University of Beirut, PO Box 113–6044, Beirut, Lebanon. Address e-mail to abaraka{at}aub.edu.lb

In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we assessed the effect of dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg IV administered preoperatively in 110 children 2–12 yr old, undergoing electrodissection adenotonsillectomy, using a standardized anesthetic technique. The incidence of early and late vomiting, the time to first oral intake, the quality of oral intake, the satisfaction scores, and the duration of IV hydration were compared in both groups. The overall incidence of vomiting, as well as the incidence of late vomiting, was significantly less in the Dexamethasone group as compared with the Saline group (23% and 19% vs 51% and 34%, respectively). The time to first oral intake and the duration of IV hydration were shorter in the Dexamethasone group compared with the Saline group (P < 0.05). The quality of oral intake and the satisfaction scores were better in the Dexamethasone group than in the Saline group (P < 0.05). This report confirms the beneficial effect of IV dexamethasone on both vomiting and oral intake in children undergoing electrodissection adenotonsillectomy.

Implications: Inthis double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we examined the efficacy of a single dose of dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg IV on posttonsillectomy vomiting and oral intake in children 2–12 yr old. Dexamethasone significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative vomiting during the first 24 h, shortened the time to the first oral intake and the duration of IV hydration, and improved the quality of oral intake and the satisfaction scores of the patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. S. Kim, C. J. Cote, C. Cristoloveanu, A. G. Roth, P. Vornov, M. A. Jennings, J. P. Maddalozzo, and C. Sullivan There Is No Dose-Escalation Response to Dexamethasone (0.0625-1.0 mg/kg) in Pediatric Tonsillectomy or Adenotonsillectomy Patients for Preventing Vomiting, Reducing Pain, Shortening Time to First Liquid Intake, or the Incidence of Voice Change Anesth. Analg., May 1, 2007; 104(5): 1052 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. A. Edler, E. R. Mariano, B. Golianu, C. Kuan, and K. Pentcheva An Analysis of Factors Influencing Postanesthesia Recovery After Pediatric Ambulatory Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Anesth. Analg., April 1, 2007; 104(4): 784 - 789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Bolton, P. S. Myles, T. Nolan, and J. A. Sterne Prophylaxis of postoperative vomiting in children undergoing tonsillectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis Br. J. Anaesth., November 1, 2006; 97(5): 593 - 604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Madan, A. Bhatia, S. Chakithandy, R. Subramaniam, G. Rammohan, S. Deshpande, M. Singh, and H. L. Kaul Prophylactic Dexamethasone for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Pediatric Strabismus Surgery: A Dose Ranging and Safety Evaluation Study Anesth. Analg., June 1, 2005; 100(6): 1622 - 1626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Szarvas, R. S. Chellapuri, D. C. Harmon, J. Owens, D. Murphy, and G. D. Shorten A Comparison of Dexamethasone, Ondansetron, and Dexamethasone plus Ondansetron as Prophylactic Antiemetic and Antipruritic Therapy in Patients Receiving Intrathecal Morphine for Major Orthopedic Surgery Anesth. Analg., July 1, 2003; 97(1): 259 - 263. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]