Introduction & Objective: Complications of adenotonsillectomy such as pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, inadequate oral intake, dehydration and bleeding are common and important. In addition of unpleasant feeling for patient, post operative nausea and vomiting will lead to more prolonged hospitalization and intravenous hydration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single dose of dexamethasone (0.5mg/kg) administered before surgery could decrease postoperative vomiting and improves oral intake in the first 24-hours after adenotonsillectomy procedures.

Materials & Methods: In this double-blinded, placebo controlled study, 100 patients age 5-15 years, with ASA physical status I and II were enrolled and they were randomly allocated to receive either dexamethasone (n=50) 0.5 mg/kg IV (maximum dose 8 mg) or an equivalent volume of saline (n=50) preoperatively. The anesthetic regimen and surgical procedures were standardized for all patients. The incidence of early and late vomiting, the first time oral intake, oral intake adequacy, and duration of IV hydration were compared in both groups.  

Results: Data from 100 patients were analyzed. The overall incidence of early as well as late vomiting was significantly less in dexamethasone as compared to control group (P=0.001). The time to first oral intake, oral intake adequacy, and duration of IV hydration showed significant difference in both groups (P=0.01).

Conclusion: A single dose of dexamethasone was not associated with adverse effects. Dexamethasone significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative vomiting during the first 24 hour, shortened the time to the first oral intake, oral intake adequacy, and duration of IV hydration.