The Effect of the Topical Injection of Steroid into the Pillar and Tonsillar Bed on Posttonsillectomy Morbidity

Kim, Seog Hyeon; Jang, Se Girl; Park, Mun Kyu; Kim, Young Sun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Many studies report using various agents to reduce morbidity of post-tonsillectomy. Steroid, for example, is often given to decrease postoperative morbidity. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of the intraoperative topical injection of steroid into the pillar and tonsillar bed.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Eighty patients aged between 15 to 30 years were randomly divided into two groups: 40 patients (Group I) received a single intraoperative dose of topical dexametha-sone sodium phosphate, whereas the control group was given normal saline. After the operation, each patient was evaluated for pain, oral intake, use of analgesics.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences noted in pain score, oral intake, use of analgesics among the two groups of patients.
CONCLUSION
From the post operative day 1 to post operative day 7, dexamethasone sodium phosphate may play a limited role in the patient recovery from tonsillectomy. The results showed that a single dose of the topical dexamethasone sodium phosphate did not affect the postoperative morbidity.