Evaluation of iv dexamethasone for hemodynamic stability in lower limb orthopaedic surgery

Elderly patient undergoing surgery have special consideration that are to be taken care of. They are more likely to develop hemodynamic instability after anaesthesia. Arandomized placebo controlled, dose finding study was conducted on a series of 120 patients of either sex, more than 60 years of age on selective population of Bundelkhand region, hospitalized for lower limb orthopaedic surgeries under spinal blockade to assess role of IV desamathasone given perioperatively; on haemodynamic stability in elderly patients. The selected patients were divided into four groups of 30 patients each, where in group I 4ml of IV saline was given which served as control group, while in the study groups-II(D8), III (D12), IV(D16)-8mg, 12 mg&16mg IV dexamethasone was given, just before giving spinal blockade. Haemodynamic stability was maintained in all the groups Conclusion: dexamethasone in dose of 16 & 12 mg. or may be higher is a valuable tool added to the armamentarium of the present day anaesthesiologist in combating postoperative pain as haemodynamic stability was maintained in all groups.