Preoperative low-dose intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce drainage inflammatory factors but improved 1-week scar colour score compared to placebo (0.603 vs 0.412; P=0.026).
RCT (n=64)
Double-blind
Randomized
Does intravenous dexamethasone reduce inflammatory factors in drainage fluid and improve wound healing in adults undergoing elective thyroidectomy?
Preoperative single small-dose intravenous dexamethasone does not reduce incision inflammation or improve overall wound healing quality after thyroid surgery, but may reduce scar redness.
This study explored the effect of perioperative use of low-dose dexamethasone on inflammatory factors in drainage fluid and wound healing after thyroid surgery. In the prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled study, adults who underwent elective thyroidectomy received 0.1 mg/kg of intravenous dexamethasone or a matching volume of placebo (saline) after induction of general anaesthesia. The primary outcome was IL6 and IL10 concentration in drainage at 24 hours postoperative. The secondary endpoint was the SBSES (modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale) total score at 1 week postoperative. From 8 July to 17 December 2020, 64 patients (mean SD age, 40.42 9.52; 13 males 20.31%) were recruited, received operation, and completed the 1-month follow-up. Inflammatory factors in drainage did not differ between the two groups but only had significant differences at different timepoint. The dexamethasone group patients had a higher SBSES total score at 1 week after the treatment but, without statistical significance (dexamethasone vs placebo: 3.13 ± 1.24 vs 2.97 ± 0.93, P = .571). The dexamethasone group patients had a higher SBSES total score (dexamethasone vs placebo: 3.103 ± 1.148 vs 2.868 ± 0.827, P = .011) and colour score (dexamethasone vs placebo: 0.603 ± 0.493 vs 0.412 ± 0.496, P = .026) at 1-week follow-up than the placebo group patients. Preoperative single small-dose intravenous dexamethasone did not show to improve wound healing quality nor reduce incision inflammation but may release pain, and reduce tissue angiogenesis, and thus the scar redness.
Chen et al. (Wed,) conducted a rct in Elective thyroidectomy (n=64). Dexamethasone vs. Placebo (saline) was evaluated on IL6 and IL10 concentration in drainage at 24 hours postoperative. Preoperative low-dose intravenous dexamethasone did not reduce drainage inflammatory factors but improved 1-week scar colour score compared to placebo (0.603 vs 0.412; P=0.026).