Dexamethasone Palmitate

Postoperative pain remains highly prevalent and inadequately managed in a significant proportion of surgical patients, often leading to delayed recovery, increased opioid consumption, and potential progression to chronic pain. While perioperative systemic dexamethasone is used for its anti-inflammatory and opioid-sparing effects, its efficacy is inconsistent, and concerns regarding systemic side effects persist. Dexamethasone palmitate, a novel lipophilic prodrug formulated as nanoparticle emulsion, leverages the enhanced permeability and retention effect to target inflammatory sites selectively, potentially offering superior anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy with reduced systemic exposure. This trial aims to evaluate whether preoperative intravenous dexamethasone palmitate is more effective than conventional dexamethasone in preventing moderate-to-severe postoperative pain.

Dexamethasone is almost one of the most commonly used drugs for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prevention. However, PONV is still a complex problem to be solved; for example, even with preoperative dexamethasone administration, there are still some patients still experience PONV within 24 hours postoperatively. Compared to dexamethasone, dexamethasone palmitate has a long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect, 2-5 times that of traditional water-soluble dexamethasone, with fewer adverse effects. This trial aims to assess the effect and safety of preoperative dexamethasone palmitate on PONV after open surgery.