High-dose perioperative corticosteroids in steroid-treated patients undergoing major colorectal surgery: necessary or overkill?

BackgroundSteroid-treated patients undergoing major colorectal surgery are routinely treated with high-dose steroids (HDS) to prevent perioperative adrenal insufficiency and cardiovascular collapse. However, there is no evidence to support this practice.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 97 consecutive steroid-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease who underwent major colorectal surgery was performed. The incidence of hemodynamic instability and surgical outcomes were compared in patients treated with perioperative low-dose steroids (LDS) versus HDS.ResultsForty-three patients were treated with HDS, and 54 patients received LDS. There was no significant difference in hemodynamic instability between HDS-treated (74%) and LDS-treated (78%) patients. No patients required rescue HDS for adrenal insufficiency.ConclusionsSteroid-treated patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing major colorectal surgery appear to have no clinically significant hemodynamic instability when managed with LDS versus HDS. A prospective study assessing perioperative steroid dosing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is in progress.