title: A Survey of the Use of Perioperative Glucocorticoids in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to clarify the use of perioperative glucocorticoids (GCs) in association with oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a survey of consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) working in tertiary and secondary referral hospitals in Finland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of GCs is common among OMSs (85.2% of respondents), especially in association with orthognathic surgery (100% of respondents) and facial fractures (43.5%). All OMSs who administered GCs reported that they reduce swelling. The next most common reasons for administering GCs were established practice (43.5%) and pain reduction (39.1%). The regimens differed widely from a 5-mg single dose to a 116-mg total dose of dexamethasone equivalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GCs are widely administered by OMSs, especially in major surgery. The literature shows some benefits of their use in dental and orthognathic operations, and their use seems rather safe. Proof of efficacy remains to be determined for other major maxillofacial surgical procedures; thus further studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: eeva.kormi@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Eeva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kormi
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Snäll
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Jyrki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Törnwall
authors.affiliation: Consultant and Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thorén
mesh_terms: D005387:Finland; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids