Does steroid medication reduce facial edema following face lift surgery? A prospective, randomized study of 30 consecutive patients.

A prospective, double-blinded study of 30 consecutive face lift patients was conducted to determine if the administration of corticosteroid medication would reduce postoperative facial edema. Half the patients received steroid medications in a random fashion. Three independent plastic surgeons who were blinded to the study rated facial swelling by comparing preoperative and postoperative photographs using a scale of 1 to 4. The data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. There were no significant differences in facial swelling between the steroid-treated group and the untreated patients on any occasion.