The Effect of Melatonin on Postoperative Pain Reduction After Orthognathic Surgery
- Conditions
- Effect of Drugs
- Interventions
- Registration Number
- NCT03995004
- Lead Sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Brief Summary
Orthognathic surgery is a procedure performed to correct dentofacial deformities. It involves osteotomy at the facial skeleton. Considerable pain is expected in the early recovery period.
Melatonin is a hormone that is produced naturally by the body. Synthetic Melatonin is available over the counter for the management of sleeping disorder and jetlag. Clinically, Melatonin can also be used to reduce pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing surgery.
Dexamethasone is a type of steroid. It can suppress the inflammatory response. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic drug. It is commonly used in head and neck and oral surgery for its anti-inflammatory effect to reduce swelling.
This study aims evaluate the efficacy of oral melatonin in the pain reduction following orthognathic surgery.
This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. We will recruit 87 patients who are scheduled for double-jaw orthognathic surgery to participate in this three-year study. The study lasts for 2 weeks. Participant will be randomly allocated by computer to one of the three groups. (1) Group D will receive dexamethasone only; (2) Group M will receive melatonin only; and (3) Group DM both melatonin and dexamethasone.
Postoperative pain level and perioperative plasma levels of inflammatory markers and anti-oxidizing enzymes will be recorded and compared among the study groups.
- Detailed Description
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a neurohormone that is endogenously produced and secreted by the pineal gland in the brain following a circadian rhythm, with a plasma concentration highest at night and lowest during the day.
The normal physiological roles of melatonin in the human body are to regulate diurnal rhythm, sleep, mood, immunity, reproduction, intestinal motility, and metabolism. Oral supplemental melatonin has been used in the management of jetlag and other sleep disorders. Recently, melatonin's analgesic, antioxidative, and neuroprotective properties have been highlighted in a number of animal models and a few human trials, although the exact cellular mechanism is still not yet clearly established. In surgical human trials, some conflicting data have been presented regarding the analgesic properties of exogenous melatonin supplement. Whilst the large proportion of studies showed that perioperative administration of melatonin yielded significantly positive effects in the reduction of postsurgical pain, and the reduction of overall morphine consumption, others demonstrated the opposite with no significant effects in pain experience. The reason for this could be related to the dosage, route of administration, and/or time of administration. To date, there is still no consensus on a standardized dosing regimen for melatonin. In non-surgical trials, melatonin has shown promising benefits in many degenerative diseases and conditions related to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Amongst many, the reported positive effects of melatonin ranged from the reduction of radiation dermatitis, control of signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis, management of chronic retinopathy, and reduction of lung oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
Hypothesis:
Melatonin can significantly reduce postoperative pain after orthognathic surgery. Antioxidative enzyme activity and level will be elevated and the level of inflammatory markers are reduced. Melatonin has a synergistic effect with dexamethasone.
This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. We will recruit 87 patients who are scheduled for double-jaw orthognathic surgery to participate in this three-year study. The study lasts for 2 weeks. Participant will be randomly allocated by computer to one of the three groups. (1) Group D will receive dexamethasone only; (2) Group M will receive melatonin only; and (3) Group DM both melatonin and dexamethasone.
Postoperative pain level and perioperative plasma levels of inflammatory markers and anti-oxidizing enzymes will be recorded and compared among the study groups.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- SUSPENDED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 87
- ASA Class I
- Age between 18 - 60 inclusive
- Pregnancy
- Any pre-existing systemic condition
- Previous history of orthognathic surgery
- Adverse reaction or allergic to oral melatonin
- Need for distraction osteogenesis
- Patient with chronic pain
- Patients with known psychological disorders
- Currently taking oral steroid or anti-inflammatory medication or any analgesic
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Dexamethasone Dexamethasone Sodium Sulphate 4mg/1mL Placebo capsules at night time one day before the surgery and on the surgical day, and continued at bedtime on the surgical day, post-surgery day 1 and day 2. IV Dexamethasone 4mg/1mL on induction and continued q12h for 4 more doses Dexa_Melatonin Dexamethasone Sodium Sulphate 4mg/1mL Oral Melatonin 10mg at night time one day before the surgery and on the surgical day, and continued at bedtime on the surgical day, post-surgery day 1 and day 2. IV Dexamethasone 4mg/1mL on induction and continued q12h for 4 more doses Melatonin Melatonin Oral Melatonin 10mg at night time one day before the surgery and on the surgical day, and continued at bedtime on the surgical day, post-surgery day 1 and day 2. IV Normal Saline (1mL) on induction and continued q12h for 4 more doses. Dexa_Melatonin Melatonin Oral Melatonin 10mg at night time one day before the surgery and on the surgical day, and continued at bedtime on the surgical day, post-surgery day 1 and day 2. IV Dexamethasone 4mg/1mL on induction and continued q12h for 4 more doses
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Total analgesic consumption 14 days Total amount of postoperative analgesic consumed
Subjective pain perception 14 days Self-reported pain level by numerical rating scale
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Plasma levels and activities of antioxidative enzymes 16 days superoxide dismutase (U/mL), catalase ((nmol/min/mL), and glutathione peroxidase (nmol/min/mL)
Time to first analgesic 1 day Time for patient to request for first dose of analgesic after the surgery (mins)
Plasma levels of inflammatory markers 16 days IL-6 and IL-10 (pg/mL)
Plasma levels of hydrogen peroxide 16 days Plasma levels of hydrogen peroxide (µM)
Plasma levels of melatonin 16 days Plasma levels of melatonin (pg/mL)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Prince Philip Dental Hospital
🇭🇰Hong Kong, Hong Kong