Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 3s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Jabir K.
jabirk@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Steroids are commonly advocated for the reduction of postoperative pain, swelling, trismus, nausea and vomiting in patients having orthognathic surgery. It has been noted that certain short-term complications like hyperglycemia, hypertension, steroid-induced acne, delayed wound healing is associated with the usage of steroids in orthognathic surgery.  In this study, our primary objective is to evaluate the postoperative changes in skin of maxillofacial region (acne/ skin eruptions), serum glucose level and blood pressure following intravenous administration of in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 152 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery and received intravenous dexamethasone postoperatively. All patients’ maxillofacial region were inspected for any skin eruptions on 1st, 2nd, 3rd postoperative days and on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week. Blood Glucose level and blood pressure recorded preoperatively and postoperatively on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 8thday. Results: Sample size was 152 out of which 32 patients had facial skin eruptions post operatively. Maximum skin eruptions noted on 2nd week. The mean blood glucose concentration increased from the baseline level of 89.9 mg/dl to 112.9 mg/dl on the first postoperative day and 123.6mg/dl on 2nd postoperative day, on the third day it was 121.9 mg/dl, and on 8th day it was 99.4 mg/dl. Very mild increase and decrease in blood pressure values noted postoperatively. Discussion: Dexamethasone caused steroid induced acne in 21% of orthognathic surgery patients. Dexamethasone also caused a transient rise in blood sugar levels, and there was no significant change in the blood pressure values.

Keywords: Orthognathic surgery; glucocorticoids; steroid induced   acne;   steroid induced hyperglycemia.