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Clinical Trial
. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5):365-7.
doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2004.365.

Steroid therapy for post-tonsillectomy symptoms in adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled study

Ali Maeed Al-Shehri  1
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Steroid therapy for post-tonsillectomy symptoms in adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled study

Ali Maeed Al-Shehri. Ann Saudi Med. 2004 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background: Post-operative morbidity following tonsillectomy remains an important clinical problem despite advances in anesthetic and surgical techniques. This study investigated the effect of a one-day course of intravenous dexamethasone on recovery from tonsillectomy.

Patients and methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 30 consecutive adult patients between 18 and 35 years of age, who had no previous or known contraindications to steroid therapy, were randomly assigned at the time of surgery to either a 24-hour course of dexamethasone (3 doses of 6 mg IV) or placebo with the first dose administered during surgery, and subsequent doses given after 8 and 16 hours. The same surgeon treated all patients. Postoperative signs and symptoms, including pain, nausea, vomiting, progress of healing and the degree of granulation, were evaluated for 2 weeks.

Results: Patients treated with dexamethasone showed significantly less pain, nausea and vomiting, better healing and less granulation. There were no side effects reported.

Conclusion: Application of 3 doses of dexamethasone within 24 hours during and after tonsillectomy is advisable because of the reduction of postoperative morbidity, especially pain and edema.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pain scores on a 10-degree visual analog scale recorded in the morning before intake of analgesics in the dexamethasone and placebo groups (day 1: day of surgery) (documentation of days 10–14 incomplete)(P<0.05 dexamethasone vs. placebo groups).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of patients taking pain medication per day (paracetamol 1000 mg times 2 doses per day) in the second week following tonsillectomy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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