Effect of fentanyle versus dexamethasone on shoulder tip pain during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anaesthesia

Abstract

Background: General anesthesia (GA) was the usual anesthetic technique used for laparoscopic interventions, however regional anesthesia in the laparoscopic field started to gain familiarity. Shoulder pain is a major intraoperative problem that might hinder facilitation of laparoscopic interventions under spinal anesthesia. Aim of the study: Evaluate the effect of intrathecal addition of dexamethasone versus fentanyl on incidence and severity of intraoperative shoulder tip pain during gynecological laparoscopic asurgeries. Methods: 120 patients, were randomly assigned into three groups. Group D: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and 8 mg dexamethasone intrathecally. Group F: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and 25 µg fentanyle intrathecally. Group C: 40 patients received 15 mg bupivacaine and normal saline intrathecally. Results: Number of patients who experienced intraoperative shoulder pain was significantly lower in Group F (17) and Group D (19) than Group C (31); P = 0.008. with no ststistical difference detected between Group D and C ( p value 1). Only 2 patients in Group D and F suffered moderate pain intensity in comparison to 9 patients in Group C; P =0.02. Incidence of postspinal shivering was lower in Group D and F in comparison to Group C; P 0.02. Conclusion: Intrathecal dexamethasone is as effective as intrathecal fentanyle in reducing incidence and severity of shoulder tip pain during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy under spinal anesthesia.