Although postoperative pain is reduced compared with an open cholecystectomy, effective analgesic treatment after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy has remained a clinical challenge.

Of sixty patients having general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thirty received intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg (Dexa group) and thirty received intravenous normal saline (Control group) before induction of anesthesia. Again, Dexa and Control group was divided the Younger group (20-50 yrs) and Older group (≥65 yrs). Pain was assessed 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery and recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS). Experiences of Nausea and vomiting were assessed within the first postoperative 24 hours.

In the Younger group, the VAS scores at postoperative 1 and 6 hours were significantly lower in the Dexa group than Control group. In the Older group, the VAS scores at postoperative 12 and 24 hours were significantly lower in the Dexa group than Control group. In the Dexa group, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting of the Younger group was significantly lower than the Older group.

There were differences in the analgesic effects of dexamethasone after laparoscopic cholecystectomy between the younger and older patients. Dexamathasone wasn't effective for postoperative nausea and vomiting in the older patients.