Effect of Dexamethasone on Perioperative Lactate Levels in Donor Hepatectomy

The use of intravenous dexamethasone intraoperatively has been advocated for analgesia, prevention of nausea and vomiting, post-operative sore throat and inflammation. Hyperlactinemia associated with dexamethasone is a concern in patients undergoing hepatectomy. There is limited evidence to support safety or adversity of dexamethasone in terms of hyperlactinemia. Objective: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone administration on perioperative lactate levels in living related donors undergoing liver donor right hepatectomies. Methods: The 60 patients who had donor hepatectomy appointments in total were divided into two groups at random. After the induction of anesthesia, Group B (n=30) got dexamethasone at a dose of 8 mg while Group A (n=30) received a placebo. Perioperative lactate levels were assessed at various time points, and statistical comparisons were made between the two groups' mean lactate levels. Results: The patients' mean age was 25.68 years, and their mean BMI was 21.48 kg/m2. At every time point, Group B displayed significantly higher mean lactate levels than Group A (p=0.000). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between the groups, an hour after drug administration, and after graft extraction (p=0.000). The perioperative mean glucose level climbed steadily in both groups. Conclusion: The administration of dexamethasone in patients undergoing right living related donor hepatectomy was associated with significantly higher perioperative lactate levels compared to patients receiving placebo.