• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Chronic Disease

Postoperative dexamethasone does not reduce risk of adverse events following major non-cardiac surgery

byJessie WillisandTeddy Guo
July 2, 2021
in Chronic Disease, Surgery
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. This phase III drug trial showed that dexamethasone does not significantly reduce risk of adverse events and death following major non-cardiac surgery.

2. Secondary safety outcomes were comparable between the dexamethasone and placebo groups.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Study Rundown: Major surgery has potential major complications, such as shock, infection, bleeding, and clots. The complex inflammatory response post-surgery may be a risk factor for adverse events if left to mount unchecked. Dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid, has been shown to reduce systemic inflammation in cases of septic shock and trauma, and could be potentially beneficial postoperatively. In this French randomized control trial, 1184 patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery were given either placebo or dexamethasone postoperatively and followed for death or adverse events. After 14 days, results showed no significant different in risk of adverse events or mortality between the two treatment groups. Additionally, secondary safety outcomes such as wound healing did not differ. Limitations of this study included the short follow-up period post-surgery. Patients were also not stratified on case severity which could have influenced outcomes. Nonetheless, this is a high-quality phase III drug trial which will inform clinical decision making.

Click to read the study in the BMJ

Relevant Reading: Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19

In-Depth [randomized controlled trial]: This study took place in 34 different medical centers from December 2017 to March 2019. 1222 adults undergoing major non-cardiac surgery were recruited. Ultimately, 1184 patients were randomized to receive either dexamethasone (n = 595) or placebo (n = 589), stratified by criteria of cancer or thoracic procedure. The primary outcome was postoperative complications and all-cause mortality within fourteen days after surgery. Overall, 17% of the dexamethasone group versus 19.9% in the placebo group had died or developed complications 14-days post-surgery (adjusted odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.60-1.08; P=0.15). The rate of adverse events did not differ between groups with 47% of the dexamethasone and 48.6% of the placebo group reporting adverse events (P=0.46). However, the need for mechanical ventilation for postoperative respiratory failure was reduced in those receiving dexamethasone (6.9% in the dexamethasone group vs. 8.8% in the placebo group; P=0.015). Overall, study results suggest that dexamethasone cannot currently be recommended for the reduction of postoperative complications and mortality in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgeries.

RELATED REPORTS

Subcuticular sutures following elective hepatobiliary surgery may reduce site infections

Risk of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy increases with longer use and higher dosage

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with worse postoperative outcomes

Image: PD

©2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

Tags: 14-day postoperative mortalitydexamethasoneglucocorticoidmechanical ventilationPostoperative complicationspostoperative dexamethasonepostoperative mortalitySurgerysystemic inflammation
Previous Post

#VisualAbstract Cutaneous reactions alone following administration of messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines are not a contraindication to revaccination

Next Post

2 Minute Medicine Rewind July 5, 2021

RelatedReports

Comparable cesarean incision infection following Vicryl versus Monocryl skin closure
Infectious Disease

Subcuticular sutures following elective hepatobiliary surgery may reduce site infections

February 3, 2023
Blindness and visual impairment decreasing worldwide
Chronic Disease

Risk of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy increases with longer use and higher dosage

February 1, 2023
2 Minute Medicine Rewind May 20, 2019
Chronic Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with worse postoperative outcomes

January 26, 2023
Survival greater in cervical cancer patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy compared to minimally invasive techniques: the LACC trial
Surgery

Methylprednisolone after hip replacement surgery improves pain and sleep quality

January 24, 2023
Next Post
Genetic risk assessment for Alzheimer’s disease does not increase anxiety, depression or stress

2 Minute Medicine Rewind July 5, 2021

Bidirectional relationship between subjective age and frailty

Galcanezumab reduces the frequency of episodic cluster headaches

Sleep and pain may share a bi-direction relationship amongst patients with chronic musculocutaneous pain

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Faecal haemoglobin concentrations associated with mortality and cause of death in colorectal cancer screening
  • The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Maternity Leave Left Out, Dry January, A Measles Resurgence, Dr. GPT
  • Former professional football players may be at greater risk of chronic disease
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options