A Comparative Study of Dexamethasone Ointment along with Triamcinolone Acetonide in Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis.

Aim: To assess and compare the efficacy of dexamethasone ointment with triamcinolone acetonide, the gel form, in the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial of 60 patients of either sex with clinically diagnosed RAS who were randomly divided into two groups-the dexamethasone ointment group (Group I) and the triamcinolone acetonide gel group (Group II). Patients were asked to apply the gel three times a day on each ulcer. Estimation of the efficacy of gel was done based on the time required for regression in pain, size, and number of ulcers. Results: The results showed there was a significant difference in size, pain, number, and duration of ulcers in Group I and Group II within 7 days. However, in both groups, no significant difference was noted in the treatment of RAS. Conclusion: Dexamethasone ointment was found to be efficient in this treatment and was safe as evaluated using clinical assessments.

Intraocular Pressure Elevation Following the Use of Topical Dexamethasone Ointment After Squint Surgery.

Purpose: To describe the pattern of intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after squint surgery in eyes of black Africans at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the clinical records of patients who underwent squint surgery between 2010 and 2019. Data on demographic characteristics, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure values, co-existing ocular pathology, type of strabismus, surgery performed, frequency and duration of postoperative topical steroid use and treatment received for elevated intraocular pressure were collected and descriptively summarised. Results: Thirty-six (39.1%) out of 92 patients who had squint surgery during the study period met study inclusion criteria. Mean age was 20.5 ± 13.6 years. All patients were administered Maxitrol® ointment postoperatively. Baseline, peak and net change in IOP were 12.9 ± 2.6 mmHg, 21.3 ± 6.8 mmHg and 8.39 ± 7.2 mmHg respectively. Thirty-one (86.1%) patients had elevation in IOP from baseline; 21 (67.7%) of these had significant IOP elevation. Topical steroid therapy was tailed off rapidly for all patients with significant IOP elevation. Twelve patients were commenced on topical IOP lowering medications, with normalization of intraocular pressure in majority of them by three months after surgery. Conclusion: Elevated intraocular pressure with the use of topical dexamethasone ointment after squint surgery was common in this study and majority of the patients had significant elevation in intraocular pressure. Close monitoring of the intraocular pressure of black patients, especially children, on topical steroid medication after squint surgery is strongly recommended.

Effects of a bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid on pain due to radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized crossover, preliminary study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid, is a recently developed medical material for the management of pain caused by oral mucositis associated with cancer radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this liquid in relieving pain resulting from radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, crossover trial investigated the analgesic effects of bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid using dexamethasone ointment as a control. Fifteen patients with mild or moderate pain due to radiation-induced oral mucositis were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A applied dexamethasone ointment once on day 1, had a wash-out period on day 2, and used bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid once on day 3. Conversely, group B used bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid on day 1, had a wash-out period on day 2, and applied dexamethasone ointment once on day 3. The effectiveness in relieving pain was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: One patient reported nausea immediately after the application of bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid and was therefore excluded from the analysis. Dexamethasone ointment and bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid relieved pain in 85.7% and 71.4% patients, respectively (p = 0.682). Nine patients wished to continue dexamethasone ointment after the study, while only five wished to continue bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the analgesic effect of bioadhesive barrier-forming oral liquid is comparable or inferior to that of dexamethasone ointment in patients with radiation-induced oral mucositis. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.