A randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids for pain after transoral robotic surgery

Daniel Clayburgh, Will Stott, Rachel Bolognone, Andrew Palmer, Virginie Achim, Scott Troob, Ryan Li, Daniel Brickman, Donna Graville, Peter Andersen, Neil D. Gross

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine if an extended perioperative course of corticosteroids will improve pain control following transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Patients undergoing TORS for initial treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma received a single intraoperative dose of 10-mg dexamethasone and then were randomized to receive 8-mg dexamethasone every 8 hours, or placebo, for up to 4 days after surgery. Pain, measured by visual analog scale (VAS), was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included length of stay, dysphagia assessments, and complications. Results: VAS pain scores were similar between steroid and placebo cohorts on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, and 7 through 21, although they significantly improved in the steroid cohort on POD 3. The steroid cohort also demonstrated a decreased hospital length of stay (median 1 day) and improvement in diet consistency, as measured by the performance status scale on POD 7 through 21. There was no difference in complications between the steroid and placebo cohorts. Conclusion: Extended perioperative corticosteroids after TORS is safe and may allow earlier improvement in diet consistency and decreased length of hospital stay, although postoperative pain appears minimally affected. Level of Evidence: 1b. Laryngoscope, 127:2558–2564, 2017.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2558-2564
Number of pages7
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume127
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2017

Keywords

  • corticosteroid
  • pain management
  • postoperative care
  • transoral robotic surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A randomized controlled trial of corticosteroids for pain after transoral robotic surgery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this