Efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of dexamethasone on post-cesarean delivery pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature
Authors' conclusion
Intravenous perioperative dexamethasone seems to be a promising adjunct to established analgesic modalities in cesarean delivery, with prolonged time to first request for rescue analgesia, reduced analgesic consumption, and reduced pain scores at rest up to 24 hours postoperatively.
Study context
- Population
- Cesarean delivery17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- IV dexamethasone vs placebo
- Outcome
- Analgesic efficacy (time to first request for rescue analgesia, opioid consumption, pain scores)
Methodological detailsROB2 risk of bias, GRADE certainty of evidence
- ROB2 risk of bias
- GRADE certainty of evidence
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Dexamethasone vs PlaceboMD, hours (95% CI)
Time to first request for rescue analgesia; I2 = 92.7%
3.33(1.67–4.99)
Dexamethasone vs PlaceboMD, mg (95% CI)
Opioid consumption within 24 hours; I2 = 67.5%
−3.23(−4.04 to −2.41)
Safety
- PONV risk reduced with IV dexamethasone
- Pruritus risk not reduced
Original publication
Efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of dexamethasone on post-cesarean delivery pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature. Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 12 May 2025. doi:10.
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