الفهرس 
CONTENTSOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 97 |  |  |
| | | from | 97 | | |
Abstract
Although tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical methods performed worldwide, postoperative morbidity still remains a significant clinical problem despite advances in anesthetic and surgical techniques. The most common reason for return to the hospital or clinic is dehydration. Because of the pain associated with tonsillectomy, many patients do not eat or drink sufficiently. Significant pain is to be expected for at least a week in children and two weeks in adults, and may last longer. Appropriate analgesia is important in allowing patients to eat adequately. The effect of systemic corticosteroids on the healing process has been investigated in numerous studies Dexamethasone, a powerful synthetic steroid, is well known as an effective antiemetic in adult patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects, the drug plays a primary role in the pain therapy of tumor patients In children, post tonsillectomy use of dexamethasone at doses of 0.5mg/kg/day is a well-established way to minimize post operative pain, nausea & vomiting. It is believed that the drug exerts this action primarily through its potent anti-inflammatory effect The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on postoperative vomiting and pain in adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy To elucidate this aim this study was carried out on 120 adult patients who had cold tonsillectomy by dissection method and divided in to two groups: Study group (group A): included 60 patients who received dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg once daily for 3 days intravenous dose post-operatively. Control group (group B): included the same number of patients with age and sex match who received equivalent volume of saline for 3 days post-operatively There was a significant reduction of post tonsillectomy pain in the first post operative day and highly significant reduction of post tonsillectomy pain in the second & third post operative day with dexamethasone use. Post operative vomiting was significantly less late in the first as well as second post operative day with dexamethasone use Post operative vomiting early in the first as well as third post operative day was not affected by dexamethasone.