Effect of Intranasal Dexamethasone on the Incidence of Nausea and Vomiting After Adult Strabismus Surgery

OBJECTIVES: Due to the high prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), this study aimed to determine the preventive effect of intranasal dexamethasone on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after adult strabismus surgery. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 72 patient candidates for strabismus surgery at Feiz University Hospital in Isfahan in 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 36 with random allocation software and entered into the study. After induction of similar anesthesia, endotracheal intubation was performed in patients. Immediately after inflating the cuff, the first group (intranasal dexamethasone (ND)) received 1 mL of dexamethasone (4 mg) per nasal passage, and the second group (intranasal normal saline (NS)) received 1 mL of normal saline per nasal passage. Patients of the 2 groups were evaluated and compared at first 2 hours and 2 - 24 hours after surgery for the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting, and pain after surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of age (P = 0.304), weight (P = 0.21), gender (P = 0.81), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status class (P = 1) between the 2 groups. In the first 2 hours after surgery, the incidence of nausea (P = 0.034) and its severity (P = 0.019) was significantly lower in the ND group compared to the NS group. Also, 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of nausea (P = 0.38) and its severity (P = 0.55) were insignificantly lower in the ND group. Both groups showed no significant difference in the incidence of vomiting at 2 hours (P = 0.11) and 24 hours (P = 0.16) postoperative. Two hours after surgery, the incidence of pain (P = 0.001) and its severity (P < 0.001), and also 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of pain (P < 0.001) and its severity (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the ND group. Getting ondansetron (P = 0.023) and pethidine (P < 0.001), extubation time (P < 0.001), and recovery time (P = 0.03) were significantly lower in the ND group. Patients’ satisfaction was significantly higher in the ND group compared to the NS group (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study show that the intranasal use of dexamethasone with a dose of 8 mg compared to saline is associated with a decrease in PONV and postoperative pain, a decrease in the use of ondansetron and pethidine, and an increase in patient’s satisfaction. Intranasal use of dexamethasone may be an effective and safe method, especially in cases where we do not have access to an intravenous line.