Dexamethasone Administered Intraperitoneally as a Novel Approach to Treat Shoulder Pain Following Gynecologic laparoscopy

Introduction: According to information currently available, there has not yet been a published study about the effectiveness of intraperitoneal dexamethasone that uses high-quality methodology. However, after laparoscopy, dexamethasone intravenously has been used to treat nausea. In this study, we compare the efficacy of intraperitoneal dexamethasone with placebo in patients who have undergone gynecologic laparoscopy in a double-blind randomized clinical trial.Material and Methods: The patients were divided into groups using the four-block block randomization method. The groups' treatment options were chosen at random by drawing lots. There were an equal number of candidates in each block at the conclusion of the selection process. Anesthesia was administered to each patient. A ۱۶ mg dose of dexamethasone was administered into the peritoneum of patients in the first group at the conclusion of the procedure, while patients in the second group received a placebo injection of ۱۶ cc of normal saline.Results: Within the first ۰, ۲, ۴, ۸, and ۱۲ hours following the procedure, the dexamethasone group experienced significantly less pain than the placebo group. The placebo group consumed more opioids on average as analgesics/sedatives than the dexamethasone group. Conclusion: Our study's findings demonstrate that, compared to a placebo, ۱۶ mg of dexamethasone can significantly lessen the intensity of pain following gynecologic laparoscopy, and these patients also require fewer opioids. Controlling postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery can be done in advance using this technique, which has no negative side effects.

Keywords:

dexamethasone , Shoulder Pain , Management , gynecologic laparoscopy