Comparison of Efficacy of Dexamethasone and Orogastric Suction in Reducing Post Tonsillectomy Vomiting in Children

Background: the use of gastric suction has been advocated while dexamethasone reduces postoperative vomiting and pain. the objective of the study was to compare effectiveness of gastric suction with an orogastric tube and the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone in reducing post tonsillectomy vomiting in children. material and methods: this was a randomized control analytical study conducted at the ent department, ayub teaching hospital, abbottabad from january 2012 to june 2012. a total of 90 patients included in this study were randomized to three groups. group 1 received dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg intravenously (maximum dose 8mg) after the induction of anesthesia. group 2 underwent gastric suction with an orogastric tube placed under direct visualization while the patients were still under general anesthesia and group 3 received nothing. the frequency of vomiting, number of episodes of vomiting and the need for rescue antiemetics were noted. results: the mean age of 90 patients was 7.7 ± 2.09 years. the frequency of vomiting was less in group 1 than 2 & 3. the mean number of episodes of vomiting in the three groups was 0.43, 0.76 and 0.9 respectively. the rescue antiemetics were required in 7% of group 1, 14 % in group 2 and 17 % in group 3. conclusion: per operative single bolus dose of dexamethasone decreases the frequency of postoperative vomiting in children