Perioperative Corticosteroid Supplementation and Dento-alveolar Surgery

From Volume 30, Issue 6, July 2003 | Pages 316-320

Authors

S.J. Key

FDS RCPS, FRCS

Staff Grade in Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Articles by S.J. Key

S.C. Hodder

FDS RCS, FRCS, Dip FM

Consultant in Maxillofacial Surgery, Maxillofacial Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Articles by S.C. Hodder

R. Davies

FDS RCS, LRCP, MRCS

Consultant in Special Needs Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

Articles by R. Davies

D.W. Thomas

FDS RCS, PhD, MScD

Consultant in Oral Surgery, Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.

Articles by D.W. Thomas

S. Thompson

BDS, MPhil, PhD, MSNDRCS

Clinical Senior Lecturer in Special Needs Dentistry, Department of Adult Dental Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.

Articles by S. Thompson

Abstract

Patients are referred to hospital for dento-alveolar surgical procedures requiring supplemental corticosteroid administration. However, it has been reported that medically compromised patients who require routine dental treatment are being referred unnecessarily. This article reports a retrospective study undertaken at a Regional Maxillofacial Unit over a 24-month period, which reveals the referral pattern and management of patients specifically referred for outpatient dental treatment with corticosteroid supplementation. The paper highlights the dilemma confronting practitioners when reviewing the literature on corticosteroid supplementation and the confusion that still exists in both the primary and secondary care settings as to which patients should be prescribed supplemental corticosteroids. A simplified guide is proposed for the clinical management of these patients.

Article