Table 4.

Operative and postoperative course

	Diprospan group (n = 30)	Placebo group (n = 30)	Control group (n = 30)	P value*
Pulmonary complications, (%) pts.	20	20	10	NS
Nonpulmonary complications, (%) pts.	70	76	33	NS
LOS-ICU, hr (median)	93	132	34	NS
ICU<24 hours, n	19	1	3	<0.001
ICU>48 hours, n	2	8	10	0.03
Mechanical ventilation, hours (median)	55	80	32	NS
LOS-hospital, days (median)	11	13	8	0.013
Chest tube time, days (median)	3	2	2	NS
Time to sitting, days (median)	2	2	2	NS
Time to walking, days (median)	3	3	3	NS

ICU = Intensive Care Unit; LOS = length of stay

*Between Diprospan and placebo groups.