The Effect of Dexamethasone in Tramadol Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a single dose bolus of dexamethasone on tramadol induced nausea and vomiting in our study. After approval was taken from ethics committee and patients, a total of 60 ASA I-II patients who were planned to undergo total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) under general anesthesia were included in this study. A patient-controlled analgesia device was explained for the patients with preoperative visit. After the non-premedicated patients were taken in the operation room, the routine monitorization was performed. Induction was provided with 1μg/kg of fentanyl, 2 mg/kg propofol and 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium. 6-8% concentration of desflurane in a mixture of 50% air and 50% O2 was used for maintenance of anesthesia. When the incision was started to be closed, the patients were randomized into two groups by envelope method. 8 mg iv dexamethasone (2 mL) was given for Group D (n=30), iv Saline solution (2 mL) was given for Group K (n=30). After the incision was closed, a loading dose of intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg was administered in both groups. The patients were taken in the postanesthesia care unit by extubating following the antagonism of muscle relaxant at the end of surgery. The patient-controlled analgesia device was scheduled to be as infusion: no, bolus: 12 mg, lock-out time: 10 min, 24 hour dosing limit: 400 mg. The pain and nausea and vomiting scores, additional analgesic and antiemetic requirements, the total amount of tramadol consumption were recorded at post-operative recovery and postoperative 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours. Although the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and pain scores at 2 and 4 hours were not statistically significant, they were lower in Gorup D compared to Group K (p>0.05). 14 patients in Group K required additional antiemetics and 12 patients in Group D required additional antiemetics (p>0.05). Six patients in Group K required additional analgesics and 4 patients in Group D required additional analgesics. Although the total amount of tramadol consumption was not statistically significant, it was lower in Group D compared to Group K. It was concluded that a single bolus dose of dexamethasone 8 mg has not reduced tramadol induced nausea and vomiting in patients who were planned to undergo TAH. [Med-Science 2016; 5(1.000): 94-101]

Keywords

• tramadol
• nausea
• vomiting
• dexamethasone