The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Preoperative glucocorticoid use in major abdominal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Ann Surg 2011; 254: 183-191.

Published: 8th December 2011

Authors: Srinivasa S, Kahokehr AA, Yu T-C, Hill AG.

Conclusion

There were eleven trials that included 439 procedures. Preoperative administration of glucocorticoids was associated with a reduction in postoperative complications (odds ratio 0.37, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.21 to 0.64, P<0.01), and earlier discharge from hospital (mean reduction 1.97 days, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.61 to 3.33 days, P=0.01.

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