Total thyroidectomy for benign surgical pathologies is associated with risks related to temporary hypocalcaemia and vocal quality dysfunction. Dexamethasone, as an anti-inflammatory steroid, has been proposed to have a physiological effect on hypocalcaemia and voice quality. Investigators conducted a double-blinded controlled trial to assess the effect of preoperative dexamethasone on the vocal dysfunction and hypocalcaemia following thyroidectomy
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
192
8 mg/2 ml dexamethasone IV, 60 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia
2 ml normal saline (0.9%) IV, 60 minutes before the induction of anaesthesia
Hypocalcaemia
Hypocalcaemia was defined as a corrected serum calcium level of less than 2 mmol/L.
Time frame: 3 days
Voice dysfunction
Signs and symptoms of voice dysfunction at 24 hours after thyroidectomy. Voice dysfunction was defined on voice analogue score from 0-100. Participants with Voice Analogue Score of less than 50 were labelled as having voice dysfunction, and participants with score more than 50 were considered as normal.
Time frame: 24 hours
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