The Effect of Dexamethasone in Tonsillectomy

Kim, Myung Won; Lee, Jong Hwan; Lee, Sang Cheol; Baik, Seung Hoon; Chang, Baik Ahm

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tonsillectomy is a very common surgical procedure in otolaryngology. Steroid is often given to decrease postoperative morbidity from the procedure. This study was designed to determine the intraoperative and postoperative efficacy of the intravenous administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, the long-acting steroid, before or after tonsillectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty children aged between 3 to 15 years were divided into three groups. Twenty children received intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (1 mg/kg up to 15 mg) before undergoing sharp dissection tonsillectomy (group I). Another twenty children received it after operation (group II). The third group was control and did not receive the intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (group III). Intraoperatively blood loss, surgical and anesthesia time were checked. After the operation, each child was evaluated for pain, oral intake, vomiting, body temperature, and bleeding.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences noted in blood loss, surgical time, anesthesia time, pain score, oral intake, vomiting, and postoperative bleeding among the three groups of patients.
CONCLUSION
The results showed that a single dose of the intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate did not affect the postoperative morbidity in children undergoing sharp dissection tonsillectomy.