Betamethasone, Budesonide, Deflazacort, Dexamethasone, Fludrocortisone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, TriamcinoloneFollowing publication of the joint guidance on Exogenous steroid treatment in adults, this monograph is currently under review - please check regularly for updates |
Issues for Surgery |
For suppression of inflammatory and allergic / autoimmune disorder (including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell [temporal] arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, myasthenia gravis etc.) – increased risk of disease relapse if omitted. For prophylaxis of transplant rejection – increased risk of rejection if omitted. Increased risk of acute adrenal insufficiency or Addisonian crisis (e.g. severe hypotension, tiredness and weakness, confusion, psychosis, tachycardia) if omitted – see Further Information. For cerebral oedema associated with malignancy – increased risk of worsening cerebral oedema if omitted. For neuropathic postural hypotension (fludrocortisone) – increased risk of severe hypotension if omitted. Increased risk of infection (sometimes with atypical presentation) if continued, especially in patients on prolonged courses1, 2. |
Advice in the Perioperative period |
Elective and Emergency Surgery Continue: -
Perioperative Considerations (see Further Information) Consideration should be given to administration of intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone perioperatively for corticosteroid replacement. This will be based on the patient’s risk of adrenal suppression (i.e. dose and duration of corticosteroid therapy) and surgical complexity and stress3, 4. Rheumatology Patients Post-operative Advice Recommence the patient’s usual corticosteroid dose post-operatively, unless an increased dose is clinically indicated (e.g. in Addison’s disease / primary adrenal insufficiency patients – consult the guidance available from www.addisons.org.uk/surgery )1, 13. Return to normal dose should occur once the patient is stable (e.g. no signs of post-operative infection)13. Monitor fluid status, electrolytes, blood pressure and blood glucose post-operatively15. If patients are unable to resume their usual oral medication post-operatively, supplementation with IV hydrocortisone can be considered15. Care is required when considering systemic corticosteroids in patients with recent intestinal anastomoses as administration may lead to anastomotic failure6, 9, 10, 11, 16. Patients Undergoing Adrenal / Pituitary Surgery |
Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents |
Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs (NMBDs) The use of corticosteroids and depolarising or non-depolarising NMBDs can result in prolonged relaxation and acute myopathy, particularly with prolonged use of high-dose corticosteroids 5, 6, 9, 11, 16, 17. Conversely, an antagonism of the neuromuscular effect has also been seen3, 5, 9 although the clinical relevance of the antagonist effect is probably limited2. Bear the potential interaction in mind and be alert for the need to increase the dosage of NMBD if necessary2. |
Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period |
Ondansetron Corticosteroids may cause hypokalaemia, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes, which might be additive with the effects of ondansetron17. This is an effective combination for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prevention and concomitant use is common without adverse effect. Consider the risk with continued post-operative use of this combination. Monitor serum potassium level. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) There may be an increased incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration when corticosteroids are given with NSAIDs2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16. Consider gastroprotection with either a proton-pump inhibitor or histamine-H2 antagonist if concomitant use of NSAID and corticosteroid is required. |
Further Information |
Adrenal Suppression, Perioperative Stress and Corticosteroid Replacement During prolonged therapy with systemic corticosteroids, adrenal atrophy develops. Abrupt withdrawal can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency, hypotension, or death. To compensate for a diminished adrenocortical response, patients undergoing a surgical procedure may require temporary increase in corticosteroid dose, or if already stopped, a temporary reintroduction of corticosteroid treatment. Adrenal suppression can last for a year or more after stopping treatment. The suppressive action of corticosteroid on cortisol secretion is least when it is given as a single dose in the morning1. Current evidence on the necessity of administering perioperative stress-dose steroids for patients with suspected secondary adrenal insufficiency is inadequate to either support or refute this practice3, 4, 15. If adrenal insufficiency is a clinical concern, corticosteroid replacement appears to carry minimal risk compared with the risk of adrenal crisis4. Hydrocortisone is the drug of choice for stress and rescue dose steroid coverage. In secondary adrenal insufficiency, the problem is a glucocorticoid deficiency (as opposed to a mineralocorticoid insufficiency). Furthermore, the mineralocorticoid activity of a corticosteroid may result in result in a dose-dependent oedema/fluid retention and hypokalaemia. Where doses greater than 100mg IV hydrocortisone are required, consideration may be given to switching to methylprednisolone due to it having a higher glucocorticoid to mineralocorticoid activity ratio4.
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References |
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