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Does Dexamethasone Reduce Emesis After Major Gastrointestinal Surgery (DREAMS Trial)

£131,688 over 3 years

Reena Ravikumar, Specialist Registrar

University of Birmingham

Co-researchers: Professor Dion Morton, Dr Anthony Wilkey, Miss Nazzia Mirza, Miss Elizabeth Hepburn, Miss Mei-ju Hwang, Miss Emma Hamilton, Mr David Bartlett,  Dr Laura Magill

Project summary

Bowel surgery is undertaken on over 60,000 patients a year in the UK. It can result in a prolonged post-operative recovery period, including several weeks in hospital, which can hinder recovery. Persistent nausea and vomiting is an important cause of prolonged hospital stay following bowel surgery as the bowel is slow to start working after the operation.

This study will investigate whether giving patients an injection of steroid (Dexamethasone) before surgery can reduce the amount of nausea and vomiting and improve appetite, thus allowing greater independence and earlier hospital discharge. It is important that there is a measurable benefit from this treatment as steroids can adversely affect a patient’s recovery, predisposing them to infection risks.
No useful study of this treatment has been undertaken in patients undergoing bowel surgery. Previous studies have been too small to provide a clear answer and were limited to a single hospital, making findings less general.

We will undertake a study of 550 patients undergoing bowel surgery in twelve hospitals. Patients will be randomised 1:1 between Dexamethasone or not. This will allow us to determine whether there is ongoing benefit to these patients. The benefit to the health service (economic savings from less expensive medication and fewer days in hospital) will also be assessed.

This page was last updated on 03-02-2011