Intravenous Dexamethasone on Postoperative Pain and Complications in Jaw Surgery

During surgery, patients were carefully monitored with standard equipment to track oxygen levels (SpO2), heart activity (ECG), blood pressure, and carbon dioxide levels. General anesthesia was started with medications like thiopental, rocuronium, and fentanyl, and maintained with a mix of oxygen, air, sevoflurane, and remifentanil. Patients were intubated with appropriate tubes, and the surgical team applied a local anesthetic (Articaine with Epinephrine) to the area before starting the procedure. After the surgery, patients were given dexamethasone (DXM) and pantoprazole intravenously, then safely extubated and sent to recovery. All patients were discharged on the same day.

Postoperative recovery was assessed using pain scores (VAS) and physical evaluations. Pain levels were categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, and an analgesic was provided if the score exceeded 3. Facial swelling was measured by comparing pre- and post-surgery facial landmarks, with swelling classified into grades based on the percentage of change. Mouth opening was evaluated with a caliper to check for trismus (jaw stiffness), with results grouped into normal, mild, moderate, or severe grades depending on the degree of restriction. Follow-ups were conducted by an independent clinician on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7.

Inclusion criteria

• ASA physical status I-II
• underwent split-mouth surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing corticosteroid therapy