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Effect of Single-Dose Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia
Sponsor: KRL Hospital, Islamabad
Summary
This study looked at whether giving a single dose of dexamethasone (a steroid medicine, 8 mg given into the vein) before a cesarean section could reduce pain after the operation. Eighty women having a planned cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at KRL Hospital, Islamabad were divided into two equal groups by chance. One group received dexamethasone through a drip before the procedure; the other group received a harmless salt-water solution (normal saline) as a comparison. Pain levels were measured using a 0-10 pain scale at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. The study also recorded how long it took before patients needed an extra painkiller. The group that received dexamethasone reported significantly less pain at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, and far fewer patients in that group needed additional pain relief (7.5% vs 65%). The drug was well tolerated with no major side effects. The findings suggest that a single pre-operative dose of dexamethasone is a simple and effective way to improve pain control after cesarean section.
Official title: Effect of Single-Dose Administration of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2024-03-01
Completion Date
2024-09-01
Last Updated
2026-07-21
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Dexamethasone (IV)
Single intravenous dose of dexamethasone 8 mg (2 ml) administered prior to induction of spinal anesthesia. Applied to: Dexamethasone Group (Arm 1).
Normal Saline 0.9% Infusion Solution
Single intravenous dose of normal saline 0.9% (2 ml) administered prior to induction of spinal anesthesia, serving as placebo control. Applied to: Placebo Group (Arm 2).
Locations (1)
KRL Hospital, Islamabad
Islamabad, Federal Capital Territory, Pakistan