title: Perioperative corticosteroid supplementation and dento-alveolar surgery.
abstract: Patients are referred to hospital for dento-alveolar surgical procedures requiring supplemental corticosteroid administration. However, it has been reported that medically compromised patients who require routine dental treatment are being referred unnecessarily. This article reports a retrospective study undertaken at a Regional Maxillofacial Unit over a 24-month period, which reveals the referral pattern and management of patients specifically referred for outpatient dental treatment with corticosteroid supplementation. The paper highlights the dilemma confronting practitioners when reviewing the literature on corticosteroid supplementation and the confusion that still exists in both the primary and secondary care settings as to which patients should be prescribed supplemental corticosteroids. A simplified guide is proposed for the clinical management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Key
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hodder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone