Effect of Steroids on Posttonsillectomy Pain in Adults

Abstract

There is evidence that a single dose of dexamethasone reduces pain after tonsillectomy to a small degree. A single dose was not associated with adverse effects, so the risk-benefit ratio may be favorable for this practice.

Does topical lidocaine with adrenaline have an effect on morbidity in pediatric tonsillectomy?

“…These nociceptive impulses could contribute to post-operative pain [7]. For this pain, the application of fibrin glue [8,9], steroids [10][11][12], cryoanalgesia [13], acetaminophen with codeine [14] and local anesthetics [15][16][17][18], has been reported. Local anesthetics can block the transmission of the electrical impulses when applied to the tonsillar fossae.…”

Endocrine and Immune Effects of Dexamethasone in Unilateral Total Knee Replacement

“…The single dose of dexamethasone administered intravenously during surgery tended to reduce pain in the first few days after surgery in adult patients who had undergone tonsillectomy. 10 A single 8 mg dose of dexamethasone was unsuccessful as an antiemetic. 11 In contrast, in a larger study of 300 patients, 4 mg dexamethasone administered after the induction of anaesthesia, with a second dose on the morning after surgery, significantly reduced nausea and vomiting and improved appetite.…”

Perioperative Intravenous Steroid Treatment and Tonsillectomy

“…Those studies with data collection beginning 24 hours after surgery tended not to find any measurable differences between children receiving dexamethasone treatment and those receiving placebo. 8,10 Whereas overall recovery time and pain control were unaffected by steroid use, the beneficial effects in the reduction of postoperative vomiting support the use of a single perioperative steroid dose. Although vomiting was not eliminated, it was measurably improved.…”

“…Because there were no adverse ef-fects of the steroids, the authors advocated steroid use despite the study not clearly supporting a benefit. 10 Administration of a single dose ofsteroidmedication,evenalargeone, is regarded as very safe and virtually without harmful effects. 12 No adverse effects of steroid administration were observed in any of the studies.…”