Is Steroid Medication Given for Swelling and Pain from a Coronal Brow Lift?

Although many surgeons give steroids for swelling there is little scientific evidence that the total swelling is decreased after surgery using this approach. That being said there is good evidence that pain and nausea control is better when short duration steroids are given - that is, less narcotic pain medicines are generally required. There are certainly risks with giving steroids for more than 3-4 days ( the more days - the more risk), including increased risk of infection, emotional lability, hypertension, etc). My own practice is either no steroids if an office procedure, or if done in a surgical center a single IV dose at the time of surgery is given to decrease immediate post operative pain and nausea.

Swelling is usually not a major issue. Pain is fairly common because of transaction of the frontalis sensory nerve (which in most cases regenerates to almost 100%). Short course of oral cortisone and local injection with anesthetic/cortisone combination will lessen this problem.

I have typically not used steroids for swelling associated with a coronal brow lift.  The swelling usually is at its maximum two days after the surgery and resolves very rapidly thereafter.  Many patients who receive oral steroids develop some significant mood depression about two weeks later and for this reason I have avoided the use of steroids.  At the end of the procedure I inject a long acting pain medication that gives early postoperative pain relief.  Following this, oral pain medications seem to be adequate for postoperative pain relief.