Intraperitoneal dexamethasone and laparoscopic surgery

The aim of our work was to evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal instillation of dexamethasone on postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: we conducted a prospective randomized double-blind study including 60 patients proposed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for simple vesicular lithiasis and randomized into 2 groups: group A receiving 16 mg intraperitoneal dexamethasone and group B receiving 16 ml saline. Results: In the dexamethasone group abdominal pain VAS values incidence of shoulder pain in the first 24 hours postoperatively opioid and analgesic consumption and incidence of nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours postoperatively were reduced. Conclusion:Intraperitoneal dexamethasone is a good alternative for preventing postoperative pain in laparoscopic surgery.