Use of dexamethasone on the prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting after tympanomastoid surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients unde rgoing tympanomastoid surgery. Study Design: Eighty patients (n = 40 in eac h of two groups) undergoing tympanomastoid surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Methods: After tracheal intubation, group 1 received 10 mg dexamethasone in travenously, whereas group 2 received saline intravenously. Several paramet ers concerning with the occurrence of PONV were evaluated. Results: We foun d that dexamethasone reduced the total incidence of nausea and vomiting by 45%, with a 95% confidence inter-val of 26% to 64% (P < .001). Furthermore, dexamethasone reduced the incidence of vomiting episodes > 4 times and the incidence of patients requiring rescue antiemetics (P < .05), Conclusion: Dexamethasone at a dosage of 10 mg administered intravenously is effective in preventing PONV in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery.