Hyperglycemic Response of Non-diabetic Women Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy Who Have Received Prophylactic Dexamethasone to Alleviate Nausea and Vomiting

Background: This study has been designed to assess the hyperglycemic response in non-diabetic patients in women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy; who have received a prophylactic dose of dexamethasone to alleviate post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods: This was a double blind randomized clinical trial involving seventy women who were candidates for abdominal hysterectomy. The women were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A received 8mgs (in 50 mls normal saline) of IV dexamethasone; post-anesthetic induction and pre-surgery. Group B received 50 mls of normal saline post-anesthetic induction and pre-surgery. Patients were asked whether they had any nausea and vomiting during recovery. The patients’ blood sugar (BS) levels were assessed before surgery, during recovery and then 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after surgery. Results: Thirty-three women in each group were monitored. Assessment of the results indicates that nausea and vomiting were not significantly different between the two groups. The age and BS before surgery of the patients were not significantly different. BS levels after surgery were significantly higher for the group receiving dexamethasone; with the exception of the levels during the first hour. Conclusion: The BS of women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy is significantly higher for those receiving a single dose of dexamethasone, post-operatively, compared to patients receiving a placebo. The finding of this study does not support the role of dexamethasone in the prophylactic anti-emetic treatment in abdominal hysterectomy.