64 patients undergoing cervical decompression and fusion for cervical spine degeneration were included in this study to evaluate the effect of perioperative steroids on postoperative dysphagia. Patients were randomized to either a perioperative infusion group or a placebo group. The results of this trial indicated that perioperative steroids improved Dysphagia Short Questionnaire results at 1 day, 2 days, 2 weeks and 3 months time points as well as swallowing function at 2 days, 2 weeks and 6 months time points in comparison to placebo. There were no differences in short-term complications or hospital stay between groups.