The effect of betamethasone gel in reducing sore throat, cough, and hoarseness after laryngo-tracheal intubation.
OBJECTIVE
Tracheal intubation for general anesthesia often leads to traumatization of the airway mucosa resulting in postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and cough. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of betamethasone gel in reducing these complications.


METHODS
One hundred patients (ASA I-II) to undergo endotracheal intubation, were randomly divided equally into two groups; 50 Case (Group A). 50 Control (Group B). The tracheal tubes for Case Group A were lubricated with 0.05% betamethasone gel and for the Control Group B with KY gel. Patients were interviewed at end of procedures and 1 and 24 hour after extubation.


RESULTS
The incidence and severity of sore throat, hoarseness and cough, 1 and 24 hours postoperatively was reduced significantly in Case Group A.


CONCLUSIONS
Betamethasone gel, when was used for lubrication of endotracheal tubes pre-operatively, was shown to be effective in decreasing postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough.
Kazemi
Asif
A
Dept. of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. mehrabad@sums.ac.ir
Amini
Afshin
A
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005782:Gels; D001623:Betamethasone