Our Summary

This study looked at whether a certain drug, dexamethasone, could help reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers after a specific type of eye surgery (scleral buckle surgery).

45 patients who were about to have this surgery were divided into two groups. One group was given the usual care after surgery, which included over-the-counter painkillers and stronger opioid painkillers if needed. The other group received the same care but also had a single dose of dexamethasone during their surgery.

The patients were asked to rate their pain levels and count how many opioid tablets they took on the day of the surgery, the next day, and a week after the surgery.

The results showed that the patients who received dexamethasone reported less pain and used fewer opioid tablets on the day of the surgery compared to the patients who didn’t receive the drug. However, there was no significant difference in pain levels or opioid use between the two groups one day and seven days after the surgery.

In other words, using dexamethasone during this eye surgery could help reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers immediately after the operation.

FAQs

  1. What is the impact of a single-dose intravenous dexamethasone following scleral buckle surgery?
  2. What differences were observed in postoperative pain and opioid use between patients who received standard care and those who received standard care plus perioperative dexamethasone?
  3. Were the effects of dexamethasone on postoperative pain and opioid use sustained over time?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about scleral buckle surgery is to ask about the option of receiving a single-dose intravenous dexamethasone during the procedure to help reduce postoperative pain and the need for opioid medication. This can potentially improve the overall recovery experience and decrease the risk of opioid dependence.

Suitable For

Scleral buckle surgery is typically recommended for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

Timeline

  • Before surgery: The patient undergoes a consultation with their ophthalmologist and is diagnosed with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. They are scheduled for scleral buckle surgery.

  • Day of surgery: The patient undergoes scleral buckle surgery, which involves the placement of a silicone band around the eye to support the retina. They may receive perioperative intravenous dexamethasone to reduce postoperative pain.

  • Postoperative day 0: The patient experiences significantly lower pain and uses fewer opioid tablets in the dexamethasone group compared to the control group.

  • Postoperative day 1: There are no significant differences in pain score or opioid use between the dexamethasone group and the control group.

  • Postoperative day 7: There are still no significant differences in pain score or opioid use between the dexamethasone group and the control group.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is scleral buckle surgery and why do I need it?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications of scleral buckle surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after scleral buckle surgery?
  4. Will I experience pain after the surgery and how can it be managed?
  5. Will I need to take opioids for pain relief after the surgery?
  6. Are there any alternative pain management options to opioids?
  7. What is the role of dexamethasone in reducing postoperative pain and opioid use after scleral buckle surgery?
  8. What are the potential side effects of dexamethasone?
  9. How will my progress be monitored after the surgery?
  10. What should I do if I experience severe pain or other concerning symptoms after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Henderson MN, Mantopoulos D, Wheatley EI, Hassan OT, Prenner JL, Fine HF. Journal: Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2023 Apr;54(4):238-242. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20230222-01. Epub 2023 Mar 8. PMID: 36884235