Comparison of the effect of corticosteroid therapy and decongestant on reducing rhinoplasty edema.

[BACKGROUND] Comparison of the two methods of decongestant and three doses of dexamethasone on reducing edema and ecchymosis after septorhinoplasty.

[METHODS] Seventy-four patients who were candidates for rhinoplasty were randomly divided into three groups. Group A received 8 mg of i.v. dexamethasone preoperatively and again after 24 and 48 hours after surgery, group B received three pseudoephedrine tablets (60 mg) per day for 1 week, and group C received three pseudoephedrine tablets (60 mg) per day for 2 weeks. Finally, their effects on the eye, tip and dorsal edema, and ecchymosis were evaluated.

[RESULTS] Our findings showed that both decongestant and corticosteroid had significant short-term effects on edema and ecchymosis, but only continuation of pseudoephedrine could reduce the evaluated variables after 1 week.

[CONCLUSION] Pseudoephedrine can be effective for reducing eyelid edema and ecchymosis after rhinoplasty. Also, administration of three doses of dexamethasone in the postoperative care of nasal plastic surgery harmlessly diminished postsurgical edema.