Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone Before Spinal Anesthesia on Post-cesarean Section Pain

Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone Before Spinal Anesthesia on Post-cesarean Section Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

*Aim of the Work This study aims to assess the efficacy of intravenous injection of dexamethasone prior to spinal anesthesia in reducing post-cesarean section pain in women undergoing cesarean section.

*Research Hypothesis: In women undergoing cesarean section, intravenous injection of dexamethasone prior to spinal anesthesia may reduce post-cesarean section pain.

*Research Question: In women undergoing cesarean section, does injecting intravenous dexamethasone prior to spinal anesthesia reduce post-cesarean section pain?

• Inclusion Criteria:

  • A gestational age of 38 weeks or more and planned for elective cesarean section.
  • Living fetus.
  • Any number of previous cesarean section.
  • Intact amniotic membranes.
  • No history of bleeding tendency.

• Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refuse to participate after counseling.
  • Contraindication to spinal anesthesia (coagulopathy significant hypovolemia systemic or local sepsis - increased intracranial pressure - local anesthetic or fentanyl allergy).
  • High risk pregnancies as pre-eclampsia, any medical disorder (diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease or and thyroid disease).
  • Contraindication to corticosteroids e.g. systemic fungal infection
  • Steroid medication one week before the operation.
  • Chronic pain or daily intake of analgesic.
  • Abnormal placentation e.g. placenta previa.
  • Intrauterine infection.