Effect of epidural Dexamethasone on pain of lumbar disc surgery

Abstract Background: Protrusion or extrusion of intervertebral disc needs medical or surgical treatment. Anti-inflammatory drugs also seem to have an effective role. Objective: To determine the effect of epidural steroids on surgical pain and duration of hospitalization. Methods: In a double blind study, a research was conducted on 40 patients with lumbar disc in L4/L5 or L5/S1 area in Emam Khomeini hospital of Tehran. The patients were categorized into two equal groups of steroid and control. 16mg of dexamethasone was dropped on nerve roots in steroid group after the surgery. Stilled water with same volume was used in the control group. After surgery, the amount of methadone, duration of hospitalization and the degree of pain in both groups were compared using straight line method. Findings: Statistical data revealed that the degree of pain, period of hospitalization of patients in steroid group were less than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Prescription of steroids after surgery on nerve roots is effective and has no side-effects.