31 December 2014 : Clinical Research
Dexamethasone Reduces Nausea and Vomiting but not Pain after Thyroid Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Bo LiBCDEF, Huixia WangACDDOI: 10.12659/MSM.891390
Med Sci Monit 2014; 20:2837-2845
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication after thyroidectomy. The aim of this article was to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone for prevention of PONV and pain in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed this meta-analysis based on the QUORUM (Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses) guidelines. Our study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared preoperative single-dose administration of dexamethasone with no dexamethasone in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The primary outcome was occurrence and severity of PONV, and the secondary outcomes included pain, use of analgesics, and steroid-related complications.
RESULTS: Seven RCTs were included, with a total of 611 patients. A statistically and clinically significant difference in the incidence and severity of PONV was found in favor of dexamethasone (SMD, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.13–0.41; P<0.00001; SMD, 0.53; 95% CI, –1.03 to –0.03; P=0.04). However, there was no significant difference in reduction of pain severity and analgesic consumption in using dexamethasone (SMD, –0.83; 95% CI, –1.85 to 0.18; P=0.14; SMD, –0.19; 95% CI, –0.43 to 0.04; P=0.10). No steroid-related complications were noted.
CONCLUSIONS: A single preoperative administration of dexamethasone reduced the incidence and severity of PONV but not pain severity and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to further explore the efficacy of dexamethasone on postoperative pain severity and analgesic consumption.
Keywords: Analgesics - therapeutic use, Case-Control Studies, Dexamethasone - therapeutic use, Incidence, Pain, Postoperative - drug therapy, Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting - epidemiology, Publication Bias, Thyroid Gland - surgery
Editorial
01 April 2025 : Editorial
Editorial: Rapid Testing for the Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus is Urgently Required as Infections in Poultry and Dairy Cows are on the Rise, and so is Transmission to HumansDOI: 10.12659/MSM.949109
Med Sci Monit 2025; 31:e949109
In Press
Clinical Research
Comparative Study of Plantar Load and Foot Posture Characteristics in Male Elite Squash Players and Non-Ath...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.947828
Clinical Research
Dental Students’ Opinions on Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Survey StudyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.947658
Database Analysis
Defining Effect Size Standards in Temporomandibular Joint and Masticatory Muscle ResearchMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.948365
Clinical Research
Evaluating Factors Influencing Periodontal Bone Loss Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective S...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.947759
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article 8,155,744
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research 703,017
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Mar 2024 : Editorial 30,366
Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.944204
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204
28 Jan 2024 : Review article 24,154
A Review of IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura) Past, Present, and FutureDOI :10.12659/MSM.943912
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e943912