A prospective, double-blind, randomized study of the effects of perioperative steroids on palatoplasty patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether perioperative steroids affect the outcome of patients who undergo palatoplasty.


METHODS
A prospective, double-blind, randomized study.


METHODS
A university medical center.


METHODS
Twenty patients undergoing primary repair of a cleft palate.


METHODS
A prospective double-blind technique was used to randomly assign patients to receive a placebo or dexamethasone sodium phosphate perioperatively.


METHODS
Patients were monitored for postoperative airway distress, fever, oral fluid intake, days of hospitalization, and wound healing.


RESULTS
The use of perioperative steroids was associated with shorter hospitalizations. No adverse sequelae from the administration of steroids were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
In our current managed care environment, the use of perioperative steroids may play an important role in reducing health care costs.
Senders
C W
CW
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, USA.
Emery
B E
BE
Sykes
J M
JM
Brodie
H A
HA
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D003907:Dexamethasone