Using Dexamethasone After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
Using Dexamethasone After Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
This study looks at lessening the pain after a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery by
 using Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid).
The study was designed because patients have a lot of pain after they have a UPPP. Certain
 drugs called steroids may lessen the pain associated from this surgery. This study uses
 Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid), to see if it will help reduce pain, decrease the amount of
 time until the patient can begin to eat or return to normal activity, or increase their
 satisfaction with pain management. In this study the patients will be randomized (computer
 chosen) to receive either the study drug (dexamethasone), or a placebo. The patient will
 start the day before surgery with a single pill. They will then receive the dexamethasone or
 a placebo twice daily for the next four days and then once daily for the next two days for a
 total of seven days. Afterward, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire. The five
 questions ask patients to access the amount of pain they have, how much of their normal diet
 or activity they have returned to, and how much pain medication they have taken. At the next
 follow-up visit they will be asked to complete another questionaire (9 questions) about the
 patient's satisfaction with pain management.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Candidates scheduled for UPPP surgery.

 -  Able to take steroids

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Those patients who unable to take steroids