PURPOSE

A randomized controlled double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding dexamethasone to the local infiltration analgesia (LIA) mixture on frequency of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) and opioids consumption after simultaneous bilateral total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA).

METHODS

108 patients who received simultaneous bilateral THA or TKA were randomly divided into dexamethasone group and normal saline (NS) group. The main difference between two groups was whether or not dexamethasone was added to the LIA mixture. The main outcome was the cumulative consumption of opioids within 24 h. The secondary outcome were the total cumulative consumption of opioids during postoperative hospitalization, consumption of opioids drug for rescue analgesia, frequency of PCA, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and complications.

RESULTS

Cumulative consumption of opioids in the 24 h was similar between two groups (P = 0.17). Total cumulative consumption of opioids in the dexamethasone group during postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower (P = 0.03). No significant difference in the consumption of opioids drug for rescue analgesia between two groups within 24 h, while the frequency of PCA was significantly different (P = 0.04). VAS of dexamethasone group and NS group were similar during postoperative hospitalization, while the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in dexamethasone group was lower than that in NS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding dexamethasone to LIA in the simultaneous bilateral THA or TKA can effectively reduce the total cumulative consumption of opioids and the frequency of PCA, as well as reduce the incidence of PONV. Trial Registration The trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration Number: ChiCTR2100042551, Date: 23/01/2021).