OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of single dose perioperative intravenous steroid (dexamethasone) for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from November 2009 to June 2010. METHODOLOGY:Sixty patients were divided into two equal groups. A single dose of dexamethasone was given to patients of group A during induction of anaesthesia, whereas no steroid was given to the patients in group B. Postoperative pain scores were assessed at 2, 6 and 12 hours in both groups using visual analogue scale (VAS). Pain was classified as mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (8-10) on visual analogue scale. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in pain scores after 2 hours postoperatively. Pain scores of Group A at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively were found to be significantly low than Group B. CONCLUSION: Single dose perioperative intravenous injection of dexamethasone in tonsillectomy patients reduces postoperative tonsillectomy pain.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of single dose perioperative intravenous steroid (dexamethasone) for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from November 2009 to June 2010. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients were divided into two equal groups. A single dose of dexamethasone was given to patients of group A during induction of anaesthesia, whereas no steroid was given to the patients in group B. Postoperative pain scores were assessed at 2, 6 and 12 hours in both groups using visual analogue scale (VAS). Pain was classified as mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (8-10) on visual analogue scale. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in pain scores after 2 hours postoperatively. Pain scores of Group A at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively were found to be significantly low than Group B. CONCLUSION: Single dose perioperative intravenous injection of dexamethasone in tonsillectomy patients reduces postoperative tonsillectomy pain.