Role of Dexamethasone in Peri-operative Anesthesia Management: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Dexamethasone has been used widely in clinical specialties including anesthesia. It is regarded as one of the ideal peri-operative agent being readily available, cheap, anti-inflammatory agent, prevents and treats post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), promotes appetite, suppress inflammation, a good analgesic agent both as intravenously or as an adjuvant to peripheral nerve blocks, it provides a sense of well-being and is considered to have a good quality of recovery and early discharge in patients from anesthesia. Controversial role of dexamethasone in causing post-operative surgical site infections have been solved and overall adverse effects of dexamethasone are rare and its benefits out-weighs the risks involved. The author did a literature search in Google Scholar and PubMed databases (latest articles related to the role of dexamethasone in peri-operative period over a period of two years 2015-17).