Using oral dexamethasone to prevent nausea after gallbladder surgery

Oral Dexamethasone at Night to Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Protocol for Randomized Clinical Trial

PHASE3 · Mansoura University · NCT06288035

This study is testing if taking oral dexamethasone before gallbladder surgery can help prevent nausea and vomiting just as well as getting it through an IV.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment814 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMansoura University (other)
Locations1 site (Mansoura, Aldakahlia)
Trial IDNCT06288035 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of administering oral dexamethasone 12 hours before elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). It is a parallel, two-arm, randomized controlled trial comparing oral dexamethasone to intravenous dexamethasone given at the time of anesthesia induction. The primary outcome measured will be the incidence of PONV in a total of 814 adult participants with ASA physical status I-III. The goal is to determine if oral dexamethasone is non-inferior to the standard intravenous method while being easier to administer.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with ASA physical status I-III scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Not a fit: Patients who have received steroids or antiemetics within a week of surgery, or those with certain medical conditions, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more convenient and effective method to prevent nausea and vomiting after gallbladder surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone is effective in preventing PONV, making this approach a promising adaptation of established methods.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* all consecutive adults (older than 18 years) with ASA physical status I-III undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

* steroids or antiemetics within 1 week of surgery
* chronic opioid therapy
* history of allergy to any of the study drug
* serum creatinine \> 1.4 mg/dl
* liver enzymes \> triple the normal limits
* pregnancy
* patient refusal
* and psychiatric or neurologic diseases or socioeconomic status that would hinder the postoperative quality of recovery questionnaire
* laparoscopic surgery is converted to open surgery after enrollment

Where this trial is running

Mansoura, Aldakahlia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.