The Effect of Dexamethasone on Cortisol Levels in Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery

Summary

Many drugs are used to prevent nausea and vomiting and pain after surgery. In this study the investigators will be looking at a drug, dexamethasone, which is commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting and pain after surgery but has other side effects. Dexamethasone is a man-made drug that is commonly used during surgery but also can affect naturally occuring hormones. In this study the investigators will be looking at dexamethasone's effect on a number of naturally occuring hormones over a twenty four hour period after thyroid surgery. The investigators hypothesize that plasma cortisol levels will be decreased following administration of dexamethasone.

Timeline

Start

2010-05

Primary completion

2014-02

Completion

2016-02

Outcome

Outcome not reported

Stopped: “Lack of resources”

Drugs

Indications