Combination of Dexamethasone and Tropisetron Before Thyroidectomy to Alleviate Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting, and Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial
H. Zhou, H. Xu, J. Zhang, W. Wang contributed equally to this work.
Abstract
Background
Nausea, vomiting, and pain frequently occur after thyoidectomy. Little evidence exists regarding the effects of administrating a combination of dexamethasone and tropisetron to patients undergoing thyroidectomy. We aimed to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone and tropisetron on thyroidectomy outcomes.
Methods
A total of 150 patients undergoing thyroidectomy were included in this prospective randomized, controlled, three-arm study (group D: 8 mg dexamethasone; group T: 5 mg tropisetron; group D+T: 8 mg dexamethasone and 5 mg tropisetron). There were 50 patients in each group. Nausea, vomiting, pain, and the amount of antiemetic and analgesic agents required were recorded 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h postoperatively.
Results
The complete response rate of nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in group D+T (78%, 39/50), compared with that in group D (58%, 29/50) or group T (66%, 33/50) (P = 0.01). The incidence and severity of nausea in group D+T were significantly lower than in group D and group T, with the difference mainly occurring in the late postoperative period (6–48 h). The severity of postoperative pain was significantly less in the dexamethasone-containing groups (D and D+T groups) than in the tropisetron group.
Conclusions
The combination of dexamethasone and tropisetron offers better prophylaxis for nausea, vomiting, and pain than either drug alone in patients undergoing thyroidectomy, especially during the late period (6–48 h).
