title: The effect of a postoperative course of oral prednisone on postoperative morbidity following childhood tonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tonsillectomy is a common procedure with a wide range of described operative techniques and usage of perioperative medications. Single-dose intraoperative dexamethasone has been shown to decrease postoperative nausea and pain and improve return to normal diet. The aim was to determine if a course of oral postoperative steroids would further decrease postoperative morbidity following tonsillectomy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial. Power analysis recommended 198 participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university hospital and private hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors compared a 5-day course of oral prednisolone with placebo in a pediatric population (3-16 years) undergoing tonsillectomy to assess effects on postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting and return to normal function. They also assessed the effect of corticosteroids on sleep duration and aspects of sleep quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed no significant difference between the 2 groups when analyzed for differences in the above variables both overall and at each of the postoperative 10 time points (pain, P = .478; nausea and vomiting, P = .556; return to normal diet well, P = .234; return to normal activity, P = .668; bedtime, P = .056; number of times awake during the night, P = .593).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no evidence of benefit from postoperative administration of corticosteroids in pediatric patients recovering from tonsillectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dunedin Public Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Macassey
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone