Dexamethasone on postoperative gastrointestinal motility: A placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

A single intravenous dose of 8-mg dexamethasone at induction of anesthesia significantly decreases the time to return of flatus, improves abdominal distension at 72 h, and promotes tolerance of a liquid diet. Although further studies are required to confirm our results, we recommend that dexamethasone should be used more widely in gastrointestinal surgery.