Is there a Role for IV Dexamethasone in Perioperative Pain Management?

Alimorad G Djalali

doi:10.4172/2167-0846.1000e113

ISSN: 2167-0846

Journal of Pain & Relief

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Is there a Role for IV Dexamethasone in Perioperative Pain Management?

Alimorad G Djalali^*
Director of Abdominal Surgery Rotation, Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, USA
Corresponding Author :	Alimorad G Djalali Assistant Professor Director of Abdominal Surgery Rotation Department of Anesthesiology 300 Pasteur Dr, Rm H3580 MC 5640 Stanford, CA 94305, Stanford University, USA E-mail: adjalani@stanford.edu
Received August 05, 2012; Accepted August 06, 2012; Published August 08, 2012
Citation: Djalali AG (2012) Is there a Role for IV Dexamethasone in Perioperative Pain Management? J Pain Relief 1:e113. doi: 10.4172/2167-0846.1000e113
Copyright: © 2012 Djalali AG. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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More than twelve years after the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) declared freedom from pain as a quasi human right, treatment of postoperative pain is still a major challenge for providers caring for surgical patients [1].

Patient’s hospital experiences are strongly influenced by their perception of pain management and their provider’s competency to ease pain [2].

In spite of numerous publications “demonizing” the adverse effects of opioids, opioids deservedly remain the major pain treatment modality in our daily anesthesia practice [3]. We must admit that a true alternative to opioids is not yet found. A multimodal approach to the treatment of pain is the current and preferred concept of acute and chronic pain management. By combining opioids with other nonopioid adjuncts, such as gabapentin, pregabalin, ketamine, clonidine, etc., providers seek to reduce the opioid dose by utilizing the additive or synergistic effect of non-opioid substances [4,5].

Following the trend in the literature, a single, IV dose of dexamethasone can be added to the list of adjuncts for pain treatment.

Dexamethasone is a potent steroid with a safe record of side effects [6]. It is best known intraoperatively as an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces tissue edema due to surgical trauma, and as a proven antiemetic. Dexamethasone’s antiemetic property is well-established. The mechanism of action is probably due to reduction of circulating inflammatory mediators that can stimulate the chemoreceptor trigger zone in brain. In addition, the antagonistic effect of dexamethasone on 5-HT receptors may explain its antiemetic capability [7,8]. Yet, the exact antiemetic mechanism of action remains elusive.

A single dose of dexamethasone has been shown to shorten recovery time from surgical procedures and reduce postoperative pain scores [9,10]. These lower scores can be explained by the fact that dexamethasone suppresses prostaglandin production and reduces postoperative tissue edema [11]. Exactly how dexamethasone reduces postoperative pain is based on assumptions that have not been thoroughly elaborated. Nevertheless, a recent meta-analysis underscored the effectiveness of single-dose dexamethasone for postoperative pain control as an adjunct to other pain medications [12].

There is an ongoing debate about the degree to which steroids, including dexamethasone, have adverse effects on patients undergoing major surgeries. One concerning effect is increased risk of surgical wound infection because steroids directly suppress the immune response and elevate a patient’s glucose level. Other rare but possible adverse effects are gastric ulceration and suppression of adrenal gland activity. Also the time of administration matters. Dexamethasone was found to reduce postoperative pain more effectively when given at least an hour prior to surgery or prior to anesthesia induction [14].

In summary, 8 mg of dexamethasone, given shortly prior to surgery is a safe, effective, and inexpensive choice to reduce post-operative pain and (PONV) in lieu of the available data. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, adrenal gland disorders and other endocrinopathies, dexamethasone should be used judiciously.

Further studies are necessary to establish the minimum effective dose of dexamethasone and the best timing for its application in perioperative setting.