MedTrace Logo

Effect of Single-Dose Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia

NCT07718360 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 80

Last updated 2026-07-21

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study looked at whether giving a single dose of dexamethasone (a steroid medicine, 8 mg given into the vein) before a cesarean section could reduce pain after the operation.

Eighty women having a planned cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at KRL Hospital, Islamabad were divided into two equal groups by chance. One group received dexamethasone through a drip before the procedure; the other group received a harmless salt-water solution (normal saline) as a comparison.

Pain levels were measured using a 0-10 pain scale at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. The study also recorded how long it took before patients needed an extra painkiller.

The group that received dexamethasone reported significantly less pain at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, and far fewer patients in that group needed additional pain relief (7.5% vs 65%). The drug was well tolerated with no major side effects.

The findings suggest that a single pre-operative dose of dexamethasone is a simple and effective way to improve pain control after cesarean section.

Conditions

  • Spinal Anesthesia
  • Cesarean Section Pain
  • Postoperative Pain

Interventions

DRUG

Dexamethasone (IV)

Single intravenous dose of dexamethasone 8 mg (2 ml) administered prior to induction of spinal anesthesia. Applied to: Dexamethasone Group (Arm 1).

DRUG

Normal Saline 0.9% Infusion Solution

Single intravenous dose of normal saline 0.9% (2 ml) administered prior to induction of spinal anesthesia, serving as placebo control. Applied to: Placebo Group (Arm 2).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • KRL Hospital, Islamabad

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
40 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-03-01
Primary Completion
2024-09-01
Completion
2024-09-01

Countries

  • Pakistan

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07718360 on ClinicalTrials.gov