The use of
steroids during
rhinoplasty to reduce post-operative periorbital oedema and
ecchymosis has been advocated. A number of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the benefit of
steroids in
rhinoplasty. The aim of this study was to determine current UK practice in the use of
steroids during
rhinoplasty performed by otolaryngologists. A postal survey of consultant otolaryngologists in the UK was conducted. We received 203 responses, with 115 consultants performing 12 or more
rhinoplasties per year. Only 28 consultants (24 per cent) used
steroids routinely in patients undergoing
rhinoplasty and of these 11 used a protocol, although this was unpublished.
Dexamethasone was the most common
steroid used (82 per cent), being administered as a single intravenous dose of 8 mg in the majority of cases (54 per cent). There was no correlation between the use of
steroids and the number of
rhinoplasties performed by individual consultants. Despite the evidence supporting the use of
steroids to reduce post-operative sequelae following
rhinoplasty, only a minority of consultants in the UK appear to use them as part of their practice.