Single dose dexamethasone injection for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in post laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients

Objective To determine the efficacy of single dose (16 mg) dexamethasone in prevention of post laparoscopic cholecystectomy-induced nausea and vomiting. Patient and Methods This randomized study was conducted at Princess Haya Hospital for a period of eight months from January 2009 to September 2009. Sixty patients were administered a single dose of dexamethasone (decadron) injection two hours prior surgery and another 60 were randomized to be a control group. All patients underwent assessments every 2 hour post operatively for antiemetic control over the first 24 hours. Results Nausea and vomiting were absent in 42 (70%) patients, 8 (13.3%) had vomiting, and 10 (16.6%) had nausea in the post operative period. In control group, nausea and vomiting were absent in 14 (23.3%) patients, 22 (36.6%) had vomiting, and 24 (40%) had nausea in the post operative period. Thus 46 (76.6%) patients in control group had nausea and vomiting. Seven (11.6%) patients required rescue antiemetic (metoclopramide) with ringer lactate infusion drip in dexamethasone group, while 20 (30%) needed rescue antiemetic in the control group. Conclusion Dexamethasone injection decreased post operative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.