Open AccessEffect of Intraoperative Dexamethasone on Pain Scores and Narcotic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty
Author(s) -
Samona Jason,
Cook Carrie,
Krupa Kyle,
Swatsell Krystle,
Jackson Andrew,
Dukes Chase,
Martin Sidney
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
orthopaedic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1757-7861
pISSN - 1757-7853
DOI - 10.1111/os.12313
Subject(s) - medicine , dexamethasone , anesthesia , narcotic , perioperative , analgesic , opioid , arthroplasty , surgery , morphine , total knee arthroplasty , receptor
Objective To examine whether the addition of intravenous dexamethasone during total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) would be effective at reducing postoperative pain scores and postoperative opioid consumption. Methods A total of 102 patients undergoing TKA were placed into two groups: 55 subjects received intraoperative dexamethasone 8 mg intravenously (treatment group) and 47 did not receive dexamethasone at any time during the perioperative period. Comparison was made using the 0–10 numeric pain rating scale and the amount of opioids used in each group. Results Patients who received dexamethasone required significantly less oral opioids compared to the control group. Pain scores at 24 h post‐surgery were significantly less for the dexamethasone group compared to the control group. There was no difference between groups in regards to patient‐controlled analgesic dose or pain scores in the post‐anesthesia care unit, at 12 or 48 h post‐surgery. Conclusion A single dose of dexamethasone given intraoperatively significantly decreased oral narcotic consumption and decreased pain scores 24 h postoperatively. Dexamethasone appears to be a safe modality to use to control pain in patients undergoing TKA .