Background:

Glucocorticoids (IEA) have an analgesic effect by suppressing the release of inflammatory mediators that induce hyperalgesia, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 8, and interleukin 6.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were to compare two dosages of dexamethasone (DXM) (8 vs. 16 mg) as coadjuvant in the management of acute post-operative pain in patients undergoing ear, nose, and throat surgery.

Materials and Methods:

We included 80 patients in a double-blind clinical trial, divided into three groups that compared two different dosages of DXM with a control group that did not receive DXM, although all groups received intravenous (IV) analgesics. The post-operative pain report was assessed using a numeric rating scale, a post-operative pain visual analog scale (VAS), and recovery time 24-h after surgery. Descriptive statistics were used to apply the Chi-square test and ANOVA test for numerical variables.

Results:

Pain in Group 2 compared to Group 1 and Group 3 was less during recovery, after 1 h, and 24 h with p < 0.05 as with the post-operative pain VAS, p < 0.05. Opioid consumption was similar in the three groups.

Conclusions:

DXM 16 mg + Metamizole 1 g IV yields better analgesic effects compared to DXM 8 mg + metamizole 1 g in the immediate post-operative period and at 24 h.

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