Effects of perioperatively administered dexamethasone on surgical wound healing in patients undergoing surgery for zygomatic fracture: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of the study were to clarify the occurrence of disturbance in surgical wound healing (DSWH) after surgery of zygomatic complex (ZC) fractures and to determine whether perioperatively applied dexamethasone increases the risk for DSWH.


METHODS
Of 64 patients who were included in a single-blind prospective trial, 33 perioperatively received a total dose of 10 mg or 30 mg of dexamethasone. The remaining 31 patients served as controls.


RESULTS
DSWH occurred in 9 patients (14.1%). Occurrence of DSWH was 24.4% in patients who received dexamethasone and 3.2% in controls. The association between DSWH and dexamethasone was significant (P = .016). Intraoral approach also was associated with DSWH significantly (P = .042). No association emerged between DSWH and age, gender, time span from accident to surgery, or duration of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
DSWH occurred significantly more frequently in patients who received perioperative dexamethasone. Because of increased risk of DSWH, perioperative dexamethasone cannot be recommended in open reduction and fixation of ZC fractures.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: Johanna.snall@helsinki.fi.
Johanna
J
Snäll
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Eeva
E
Kormi
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Anna-Maria
AM
Koivusalo
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Christian
C
Lindqvist
University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Dentistry, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.
Anna Liisa
AL
Suominen
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Jyrki
J
Törnwall
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Hanna
H
Thorén
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D015051:Zygomatic Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone