Background: Pain management after a total-knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become an important issue in the field of medicine. This study conducted a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone for pain management after TKA. Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to December 2017 for comparative RCTs involving dexamethasone and placebo for pain control after TKA. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, adverse effects, and postoperative complications. We assessed statistical heterogeneity for each RCT with the use of a standard Chi-squared test and the I-2 statistic. All data were carried out with Stata 14.0 software. Results: A total of 6 RCTs were included. The present meta-analysis indicated that there were significant differences between dexamethasone-treated groups and placebo groups regarding postoperative pain scores at 12, 24, and 48hours after TKA. Administering dexamethasone could significantly reduce opioid consumption at 12hours after TKA. However, no significant difference was found in opioid consumption at 24 and 48hours after TKA. There was a decreased risk of adverse effects in dexamethasone groups. Conclusion: Use of dexamethasone could result in a significant reduction in postoperative pain while minimizing adverse effects after TKA. Based on the current evidence available, more RCTs are needed for further investigation.
[1]Jilin Univ, China Japan Union Hosp, Operating Room, Jilin 130021, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[2]Jilin Univ, Dept Nursing, Nanhu Dist China Japan Union Hosp, Jilin, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[3]Changling Peoples Hosp, Dept Oncol, Jilin, Jilin, Peoples R China.
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