Role of procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 as a predictive marker for the use of perioperative steroid in maxillofacial trauma patients

Maxillofacial trauma often brings significant challenges for surgeons in terms of preoperative oedema. Steroids offer oedema reduction, yet potentially increase the risks of postoperative infection. This study explores procalcitonin (PCT), as a marker for bacterial infection risk, and interleukins IL-6 and IL-10, which respectively signify pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, as potential indicators of infection and inflammation in these trauma cases and thereby aid in refining perioperative guidelines for the use of steroids. A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary public hospital in India from 2019 to 2022 on patients >18 years with facial trauma. After specific exclusions, patients were randomised into steroid (Group A) and non-steroid (Group B) groups. Various parameters including oedema, PCT, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were measured and analysed using SPSS software. Out of 80 patients, 44 were in Group A and 36 in Group B. Post-24 hours, Group A showed significant oedema reduction, with 25 patients displaying a decline to mild oedema, versus 10 patients in Group B (p = 0.034). However, Group A witnessed a higher infection risk, with 20 patients showing positive wound cultures versus three in Group B. Subgroup analysis revealed a link between higher PCT levels and infections (p = 0.039). Additionally, Group A showed less intraoperative bleeding and reduced operating time. While perioperative steroids mitigate swelling, they might increase postoperative infection risk. Elevated PCT levels indicate potential wound infections, suggesting those patients should avoid perioperative steroids. IL-6 and IL-10 trends during perioperative phases can predict pronounced oedema outcomes.