Efficacy of Dexamethason in Reducing Edema and Echymosis

Despite their medical side-effects, corticosteroids have been suggested for reducing the postoperative edema and bruising associated with rhinoplasty. More surveys are still under process in this regard. The current study was designed to assess the effects of corticosteroid on reducing both edema and echymosis as the side-effects in closed rhinoplasty. These two side-effects prolong the postoperative recovery of the patients. The project is a multiple time series design of causal experimental type. 30 patients undergoing septorhinoplasty operations were randomly divided into 3 groups each of which consisted of 10 cases. The study was conducted during a six-month period. The first group received no dexamethason, the second group received single dose of dexamethasone while the third group received 3 doses of dexamethasone. The two variables studied were the dose and time of administration. By comparing standard photography which was taken before and after the operation, three blinded panelists rated the extent of echymosis, and the severity of the edema. The extent of edema and the severity of echymosis were different among the three groups. In group 3, which was prescribed the 3-dose steroid, the severity of edema and the extent of echymosis were much lower in comparison with the other two groups. Also the effect of dexamethason in relation to echymosis was statistically meaningful in the sixth post operative day. Dexameyhason in the prescribed dose is effective in reducing both periorbital ecchymosis and edema in closed rhinoplasty with osteotomies which leads to the patient's satisfaction in postoperative period. This effect is long lasting and depends on the dose and time of prescription.