Randomized Controlled Trial: Perioperative Dexamethasone Reduces Excessive Postoperative Inflammatory Response and Ileus After Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: An excessive postoperative inflammatory response is common after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may be associated with an increased incidence of postoperative ileus. This study assessed the role of perioperative dexamethasone in postoperative ileus after IBD surgery.

Method: Patients undergoing elective IBD surgery were randomized to either an intravenous 8-mg dose of dexamethasone (n = 151) or placebo (n = 151) upon induction of anesthesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus. Secondary outcomes included incidence of reported nausea or vomiting, time to first passage of flatus and stool, GI-2 recovery, postoperative pain, length of stay, and surgical complications.

Results: An intention-to-treat analysis revealed that patients who received dexamethasone exhibited a lower incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus (22.5% vs 38.4%; P = 0.003), shorter time to first passage of stool (28 vs 48 h, P < 0.001), GI-2 recovery (72 vs 120 h; P < 0.001), reduced postoperative length of stay (9.0 vs 10.0 d; P = 0.002), and less postoperative pain (P < 0.05) compared with controls. Moreover, there were no significant differences in postoperative nausea or vomiting (P = 0.531), major postoperative complications (P = 0.165), or surgical site infections (P = 0.337) between the groups. A benefit was only observed in patients with Crohn's disease, restored bowel continuity, colon/rectal resections, and those who underwent open operations.

Conclusion: A single, intravenous 8-mg dose of dexamethasone upon induction of anesthesia reduced the incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus, the intensity of postoperative pain, and shortened the postoperative length of stay for IBD patients undergoing elective surgery. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03456752.