The effect of dexamethasone on the reduction of airway edema and the success of extubation in patients with head and neck surgery admitted to the intensive care unit

Background: The decision to extubate the patient is crucial and challenging. The use of corticosteroids to reduce airway edema and extubation failure in intensive care patients is debatable. Methods: In an observational prospective cohort study from April 2021 to July 2021, 110 patients undergoing head and neck surgery at Imam Khomeini Hospital's special wards were enrolled. Inclusion criteria: Patients undergoing head and neck surgery. Exclusion criteria: previous corticosteroid use, presence of tracheostomy tube, history of head and neck surgery. The intervention group (n=55) received intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg three times a day for the first 24 hours and 4 mg twice a day for the next 24 hours. The control group did not receive any corticosteroids (n=55). All the patients were weaned with the same protocol, including pressure support ventilation with pressure support 6-8 cm H20 and PEEP