None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Postoperative nausea and vomiting remains a significant problem in modern anaesthetic practice. One of the most effective anti-sickness agents (antiemetics) available is a steroid drug: dexamethasone. Steroids are also used to supress the immune system and inflammation in the body. This immune supression can also predispose to the development of infection. We wish to investigate whether the small doses of dexamethasone used in anaesthesia affects the nature and function of important immune system cells known as lymphocytes.
Interventions
Dexamethasone 4 mg or 8 mg (as determined by randomisation sequence)given intravenously once at induction of anaesthesia
Sponsors
Professor Michael Paech
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Females undergoing open gynaecologic surgery American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification 1-3 patients
Exclusion criteria
Current drug therapy with antiemetic or systemic steroidal activity Known or suspected metastatic disease Recent treatment with chemotherapeutic agents Patients involving implants, such as mesh repairs Opioid-tolerance Hypertension Diabetes mellitus Peptic ulceration Intolerance to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Hypersensitivity to dexamethasone, granisetron or droperidol
Outcome results
None listed