Abstract:

Objective To analyze the protective effect of perioperative low-dose dexamethasone on sore throat after thyroidectomy by the use of the pain rating scale. Methods Patients who underwent the thyroid surgery and met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the dexamethasone group (n=103) and the saline group (n=130). Patients were intravenously injected with 0.1 mg/kg of dexamethasone or same volume of saline at the induction of general anesthesia. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess incision pain and throat pain (at rest and in swallow) of patients after thyroid surgery. The incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded and assessed with the verbal rating scale (VRS). Blood glucose levels before and after surgery were measured and postoperative incision infections were observed. Results The proportion of patients receiving antiemetic drugs after surgery was markedly lower in the dexamethasone group (18.4%) than in the saline group (58.5%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000). The proportion of patients receiving analgesic drugs after surgery was lower in the dexamethasone group (1.0%) than in the saline group (6.2%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.041). The blood glucose levels in the dexamethasone group were markedly higher than those in the saline group 1 d after surgery (P=0.000) and returned to the baseline level on the next day. The difference in the rate of postoperative incision infections between two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.848). Conclusion Perioperative low-dose dexamethasone can reduce incision pain and throat pain, as well as incidences of nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy. The blood glucose level 1 d after thyroidectomy was elevated with no high blood glucose adverse events.

Key words: perioperative, dexamethasone, thyroidectomy, sore throat