Effects of a Single Dose of Dexamethasone in Patients Undergoing Operative Fixation of Proximal Femur Fracture
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Intervention
- Dexamethasone acetate
- Conditions
- Fractured Neck of Femur
- Sponsor
- Cork University Hospital
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Visual analogue pain scale at rest and on movement postoperatively
- Last Updated
- 14 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Fracture neck of femur is a common cause of hospital admission in the elderly and requires operative fixation.
Dexamethasone has the potential of inhibiting cortisol secretion. In addition, preoperative glucocorticoids improve analgesia and decrease opioid consumption with reduction in associated side effects in a variety of clinical settings.
The investigators hypothesis was that a single dose of preoperative dexamethasone enhance postoperative analgesia and attenuates the inflammatory response in patients undergoing operative fixation of fractured neck of femur, in a prospective, randomized, placebo controled trial.
Detailed Description
Having obtained ethical approval and written informed consent from each, 40 patients scheduled to undergo operative fixation of fractured neck of femur will be randomized using sealed envelopes to two groups. Patients in the Dexamethasone group receive a single dose of 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone iv. preoperative, patients in the Placebo group receive the same amount of Normal Saline. The anaesthetic technique is standardized, salive samples, blood samples are taken and pain scores are measured on a visual analog scale postoperatively at several timepoints.
Investigators
Szilard Szucs
Clinical Tutor in Anaesthesia
Cork University Hospital
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •above 65 years
- •ASA I-III patients
Exclusion Criteria
- •patient refusal
- •outside age range
- •coagulation disorders
- •depression
- •Cushing syndrome
- •endocrine disorders
- •corticosteroid treatment in the last 4 month
- •head injury or associated injuries
- •Mini Mental Scores \< 25
Arms & Interventions
Dexamethasone, 0.1 mg/kg
The patients in the Dexamethasone group get iv 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone preoperative.
Intervention: Dexamethasone acetate
Placebo
In the Placebo group the patients get 0.1 ml/kg normal saline.
Intervention: Placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Visual analogue pain scale at rest and on movement postoperatively
Time Frame: Postoperative in recovery, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 hourly