Effect of Sub-Mucosal injection of Dexamethasone on Postoperative Eedema after Bilateral Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (BSSRO)

Postoperative swelling and edema can cause distress to the patient due to considerable pain and، delayed healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sub mucosal injection of Dexamethasone on postoperative edema after BSSRO. The study design was double blind clinical trial in which 19 patients requiring BSSRO were informed and randomly placed into two groups، 11 patients in the case group received 8mg Dexamethasone as a submucosal injection and 9 patients in the control group received 8mg of intravenous injections. Standardized surgical protocols were performed by the same surgeon. Maximum distances from the tragus to the corner of the mouth and from the tragus to the pogonion were measured at baseline and 48 hours post-surgery. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-U-Whitney Test. The study was done on 19 patients in two groups that were matched based on age، sex، weight، period of surgery، type and level of malocclusion and socio-economical state. The average distance from the tragus to the corner of the mouth was 12. 8±3 in control group and 14. 6±14. 9 in case group (p<0. 8). The average distance from the tragus to the pogonion was 10. 5±3. 2 in control group and 14. 2±4. 3 in case group (p<0. 2). Submucosal injection of Dexamethasone is as effective as intravenous injection in reduction of post-operative edema after BSSRO.