Comparing the Effect of Paracetamol, Dexamethasone, and Paracetamol plus Dexamethasone on Prevention of Postoperative Headache in Pregnant Women Undergoing Cesarean Section with Spinal Anesthesia

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Professor, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Resident, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, School of Medicine. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the effect of paracetamol, dexamethasone, and paracetamol plus dexamethasone on prevention of postoperative headache in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 220 pregnant women who were candidate for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided in 4 groups of 55 receiving 1 g paracetamol, 8 mg dexamethasone, 1 g paracetamol plus 8 mg dexamethasone, or the same volume of normal saline. The incidence of postoperative headache were compared between the 4 groups.Findings: 6 hours after the operation, frequency of postoperative headache in the paracetamol, dexamethasone, paracetamol plus dexamethasone, and control groups was 23.60, 20.00, 10.90, and 40.00 percent, respectively (P = 0.004). 12 hours after the surgery, these amounts were 25.15, 20.00, 10.90, and 40.00 percent, respectively (P = 0.004); and 24 hours after the surgery, they were 21.80, 20.00, 10.90, and 34.50 percent, respectively (P = 0.027).Conclusion: Using combination of paracetamol plus dexamethasone is more effective. Considering low effect of paracetamol for prevention of postoperative headache and also side-effects of high dose of dexamethasone, it seems that using combination of the two drugs is better for prevention of postoperative headache.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 35, Issue 457 - Serial Number 457
November and December 2018
Pages 1700-1706

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 October 2017
  • Revise Date: 29 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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