Effects of single preoperative dose of steroid on postoperative morbidity in peritonsillar abscess

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of single preoperative intravenous dose of Dexamethasone on postoperative morbidity that is pain, fever, and hospital stay in patients with peritonsillar abscess undergoing incision and drainage with those who did not receive Dexamethasone [control group]. Comparative study. [Case control type] Joint Venture of Department of ENT and Head and Neck surgery Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi and Department of ENT and Head and Neck surgery Combined Military Hospital Lahore from January 2007 to January 2009. Total of 60 patients were included and divided into two groups of 30 each. Group A received single dose of Dexamethasone preoperatively intravenously 10 minutes before start of procedure while group B [control group] did not receive any steroid. Pain control had significant difference in both groups with better control rates in group A. Similarly fever control was significantly better in Group A. Hospital stay was less in case of Group A. Single dose of Dexamethasone given preoperatively significantly reduced the postoperative morbidity that is pain; fever and hospital stay in patients undergoing incision and drainage for peritonsillar abscess