The Effects of IV vs Oral Dexamethasone on Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting, and Pain

The hypothesis being tested in this study is that perioperative oral administration of dexamethasone, when compared to intravenous (IV) administration, offers a similar reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and reduction in postoperative pain in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy and/or tympanostomy tube placement. The specific aim of this study is to demonstrate non-inferiority of oral dexamethasone when compared to IV dexamethasone, given that there is currently a severe, sudden, and world-wide shortage of IV dexamethasone given its recent use in treating patients with covid19 disease.