Effect of i.v. dexamethasone on postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain during canal wall-up mastoidectomy

Conclusion. Prophylactic i.v. administration of 10 mg of dexamethasone reduced postoperative dizziness and nausea without adverse effects in patients undergoing canal wall-up mastoidectomy, but did not reduce postoperative pain. Objective. To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone in reducing postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain in patients undergoing canal wall-up mastoidectomy. Material and methods. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed between January 2002 and December 2004. A total of 162 patients (66 males, 96 females) scheduled for canal wall-up mastoidectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either i.v. dexamethasone (10 mg in 2 ml) or i.v. placebo (2 ml of normal saline) during mastoidectomy. A standard general anesthetic technique was employed throughout the surgical procedure. At 3, 6 and 24 h after surgery, patients completed questionnaires regarding postoperative dizziness, nausea and pain, with their responses being given on a visual analog scale. Results. There were no postoperative complications in either group. Compared to the placebo group, the dexamethasone group showed reduced postoperative dizziness and reduced nausea (p < 0.05 for both) at 24 h postoperatively. Compared to the placebo group, dexamethasone had no effect on postoperative pain.