Intrathecal Dexamethasone and Atropine on Morphine Induced Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting on Caesarean Section

Pain is a major problem during the postoperative period and can be considered as a challenge for the anesthesiologist. Low dose intrathecal morphine is proven efficient as a mode to reduce postoperative pain in many surgical areas including Caesarean delivery. Morphine has many complications namely pruritus, and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The other risk factors for the development of PONV include female gender, non-smoker status, general anesthesia with inhalational anesthetics and surgical factors (duration and type of surgery). The supplementation of morphine, however raises the occurrences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in these patient To tackle this problem, the investigators have to use the combination therapy of antiemetics like a serotonin receptor antagonist of either intravenous (IV) ondansetron or granisetron with IV dexamethasone is administered after the administration of intrathecal morphine. Dopamine receptor antagonists e.g. droperidol and metoclopramide are commonly used, but they carry the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• 18-45 years old
• ASA: 1, 2
• Elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient refusal.
• Contraindications to spinal anaesthesia as coagulopathy, infection at site of injection, hemodynamic instability and uncooperative patient.
• Contraindications to administration of morphine as asthmatic patient and hypersensitivity and contraindications to any of the study drugs.
• Adult-Emergency CS as there is no time for preparation and risk on fetus and mother for time consuming