Effect of steroids on edema, ecchymosis, and intraoperative bleeding in rhinoplasty

A double-blind, randomized study was designed to determine the efficacy of dexamethasone in decreasing periorbital edema and ecchymosis after rhinoplasty. Sixty rhinoplasty patients undergoing hump resection and lateral osteotomy were included in the study and were divided into 6 groups: group 1 (n = 10), single dose of 8 mg intravenous (IV) dexamethasone 1 hour before the operation; group 2 (n = 10), single dose of 8 mg IV dexamethasone at the beginning of the operation; group 3 (n = 10), 3 doses of 8 mg IV dexamethasone 1 hour before the operation, and 24 and 48 hours after the operation; group 4 (n = 10), 3 doses of 8 mg IV dexamethasone at the beginning of the operation, and 24 and 48 hour after the operation; group 5 (n = 10), 3 doses of 8 mg IV dexamethasone immediately after the operation, and 24 and 48 hours after the operation; group 6 (n = 10), control, no dexamethasone administration before or after the operation. Intraoperative blood loss was recorded for each patient. Patients were evaluated at 24 hours and days 2, 5, 7, and 10. For the postoperative evaluation of periorbital ecchymosis and edema, a scale of 0 to 4 points was used. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of bleeding (P > 0.05). In the groups using steroid before osteotomy, edema and ecchymosis were significantly lower during the first 2 days compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was seen between groups 1 and 2. When patients were evaluated on day 5, edema and ecchymosis were significantly lower in groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05) compared with other groups, but there was no difference between them. Group 5 had a significantly higher level of edema and ecchymosis compared with groups 1 through 4 at 24 hours and at days 2, 5, and 7 (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups on day 10. In conclusion, if the first dose is given before osteotomy, triple-dose steroid application is the best bet for decreasing postoperative edema and ecchymosis. None of the patients had any complications related to the use of dexamethasone.