Efficacy of single dose perioperative intravenous steroid (dexamethasone) for postoperative pain relief in tonsillectomy patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of single dose perioperative intravenous steroid (dexamethasone) for postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from November 2009 to June 2010. METHODOLOGY Sixty patients were divided into two equal groups. A single dose of dexamethasone was given to patients of group A during induction of anaesthesia, whereas no steroid was given to the patients in group B. Postoperative pain scores were assessed at 2, 6 and 12 hours in both groups using visual analogue scale (VAS). Pain was classified as mild (0-3), moderate (4-7) and severe (8-10) on visual analogue scale. RESULTS There was no significant difference in pain scores after 2 hours postoperatively. Pain scores of Group A at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively were found to be significantly low than Group B. CONCLUSION Single dose perioperative intravenous injection of dexamethasone in tonsillectomy patients reduces postoperative tonsillectomy pain.