Background: The recommended dose regimen of dexamethasone in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has not been determined. This study was performed to assess the effects of multiple low-dose dexamethasone on clinical outcomes after THA.
Methods: Two hundred ten patients undergoing THA received 3 doses of normal saline (Group A), 2 doses of intravenous dexamethasone and 1 dose of normal saline (Group B), or 3 doses of intravenous dexamethasone (Group C). The primary outcome was the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain and nausea. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, use of analgesic and antiemetic rescue, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, range of motion, length of stay (LOS), and complications were also compared.
Results: The VAS score (dynamic pain and nausea) on postoperative day 1 was significantly lower in Groups C and B than Group A. On postoperative day 2, the VAS score (dynamic pain and nausea) was lower in Group C than Groups A and B. In Group C, patients had a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and reduced use of analgesic and antiemetic rescue. The CRP level was lower in Group B than Group A. Group C had the lowest CRP level among all 3 groups. LOS was shorter in Group B than Group A, while Group C had an even shorter LOS than Group B. Range of motion was greater in Group C. No complications occurred in any group.
Conclusion: The 3-dose dexamethasone regimen can further relieve postoperative pain, ameliorate postoperative nausea, provide additional inflammatory control, enhance mobility, and shorten LOS following THA.
Keywords: clinical outcome; dexamethasone; multiple-dose treatment; randomized controlled study; total hip arthroplasty.
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