Use of intravenous steroids at induction of anesthesia for septoplasty to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

To determine the effectiveness of dexamethasone to reduce pain, nausea and vomiting after septoplasty. Study is a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 90 patients were enrolled and received an either of dexamethasone or placebo in the induction of anesthesia. The patients were asked to note the level of pain on the visual analogue scale in the first 24 h after surgery. They also had to record their severity of nausea and number of vomiting attacks. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups for the level of pain noted on the visual analogue scale. The severity of nausea was lower after treatment with dexamethasone but the difference between two groups was not significant. There was also a significant decrease in the number of vomiting attacks in patients treated with dexamethasone. A single dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone, given intravenously, at induction of anesthesia for septoplasty significantly decreased the pain, post-operative nausea and vomiting for the day of operation.