The effect of peritonsillar corticosteroid infiltration in tonsillectomy.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control clinical study was performed to determine the effects of peritonsillar infiltration of dexamethasone on peroperative and postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing tonsillectomy with local anesthesia. A total of fifty-two patients, aged 14-34, were randomized to infiltrate dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, maximum dose, 12 mg) or placebo with local anesthetic at the peritonsillar region. Incidence of postoperative complications, pain medications, appetite, oral intake (type of diet) and fever were also compared between the two groups. Demographics of dexamethasone and placebo groups were similar. No statistically significant differences were noted peroperative procedures, postoperative complications, pain medication, appetite, oral intake (type of diet) between the two groups of patients.