Effect of methylprednisolone on swelling after orthognathic surgery.

The effectiveness of methylprednisolone for the reduction of postoperative facial edema was evaluated by the computed tomographic examination of 39 patients who underwent either a Lefort I osteotomy or a transoral vertical osteotomy. Results of the CT scans, which were performed preoperatively and at 24 and 72 hours postoperatively, showed that in the LeFort I osteotomy patients methylprednisolone reduced the degree of facial edema by 61% at 24 hours postoperatively and by 10% at 72 hours. In the transoral vertical osteotomy patients methylprednisolone reduced the degree of facial edema by 38% at 24 hours postoperatively and by 45% at 72 hours. It was concluded that methylprednisolone is effective for the control and management of postoperative facial edema following orthognathic surgery.