For Immediate Release
November 08, 2024
Study Seeking Most Effective Dose of IV Dexamethasone in TKA Receives the Young Investigator’s Award
November 08, 2024 (Dallas, TX) – An award-winning study was presented at the 2024 AAHKS Annual Meeting: “What is the Safest and Most Effective Dose of Intravenous (IV) Dexamethasone in TKA? A Multicenter Prospective RC”. This study received the AAHKS James A. Rand, MD, Young Investigator’s Award, which recognizes young investigators who demonstrate clinical excellence in knee-related research.
Lead author Charles P. Hannon, MD, MBA and co-authors Anne DeBenedetti, MSc, Robert L. Barrack, MD, Young-Min Kwon, MD, PhD, Jess H. Lonner, MD, Rafael J. Sierra, MD, James I. Huddleston III, MD, Charles Nelson, MD, Ran Schwarzkopf MD, MSc, Gwo-Chin Lee, MD, Thomas P. Vail, MD, Erik Hansen, MD, Jeffrey A. Geller, MD and Craig J. Della Valle, MD randomized 404 inpatient primary TKA patients, across 11 centers, to receive 4mg, 8mg or 16mg of IV dexamethasone intraoperatively. In an effort to achieve the most accurate results, all 11 sites utilized the same perioperative multimodal protocol.
Researchers quickly noticed that patients who received 16mg IV dexamethasone consumed less MME on POD1 and had fewer vomiting episodes. Within the first 48 hours, no difference in cumulative opioid consumption was detected. However, the 8mg patient group demonstrated the lowest glucose levels at the 48th hour.
In conclusion, researchers arrived at the verdict that high dose of IV dexamethasone in TKA leads to reduced opioid consumption and vomiting in the first 24 hours after surgery. However, it’s also suggested that outcomes including total opioid consumption, sleep and nausea are comparable beyond 24 hours for all doses.
“The results from our study demonstrate that 16mg IV dexamethasone has early benefits on postoperative pain, opioid consumption, nausea and vomiting. However, surgeons should be cautious in patients with diabetes, as 16mg IV dexamethasone does lead to significant increases in postoperative glucose levels. Future research is needed to determine the optimal number of doses of dexamethasone that should be given in the perioperative period during total knee arthroplasty,” said Charles P. Hannon, MD, MBA
Abstract: AAHKS James A. Rand, MD, Young Investigator’s Award Abstract
About the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Established in 1991, the mission of AAHKS is to advance hip and knee patient care through education, advocacy, research and outreach. AAHKS has a membership of over 5,000 surgeons and other hip and knee health care professionals.
Contact:
Kenneth Robinson, Communications Manager
KRobinson@AAHKS.org
