Do intraoperative steroids reduce facial swelling? A new assessment tool for assessing facial swelling. E Brecher, M Kugathasan, A Viswanath, M Papageorge.

Date: May 2019.
Source: International Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 2019; Vol 48: p 210. Abstract of the 24th International Conference on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Background: Post-operative swelling is a common sequala to surgical extraction of impacted third molars. The use of intraoperative steroids to is a common practice among oral surgeons to reduce swelling. However, there is conflicting data regarding about the efficacy of steroid use intraoperatively to reduce post-operative swelling.
Objectives: The overall objective of this clinical study was to look at the efficacy of corticosteroid (Dexamethasone) in reducing postoperative swelling following surgical extraction of impacted third molars.
Methods: This single site prospective clinical study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine. Patients undergoing third molar extractions were randomized into decadron and nondecadron arms. For all patients, an initial 3dMD scan was obtained prior to extraction for a baseline measurement of facial morphology, and a second 3dMD scan was obtained for evaluation and determination of facial swelling at the 72 hours follow up visit. The degree of facial swelling between the two groups at the two time points was compared and analyzed for any statistical significance.
Results: Using the 3dMDvultus software to compare the facial swelling, the preliminary findings found and average of 3.752 cc. difference in volume on the left side and 5.762 cc difference of volume on the right side for those who received corticosteroids. For those who did not receive corticosteroids, an average of 11.142 cc. difference on the left side and 8.756 cc. difference on the right side was found.
Conclusions: The preliminary findings from this study thus far indicate that there may be a statistically significant amount of swelling between those who receive Decadron as a corticosteroid preoperatively and those who do not.
Article: Do intraoperative steroids reduce facial swelling? A new assessment tool for assessing facial swelling.
Authors: E Brecher, M Kugathasan, A Viswanath, M Papageorge. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine