Controlled comparison between betamethasone gel and lidocaine jelly applied over tracheal tube to reduce postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice though minor sequelae after general tracheal anaesthesia can be distressing to the patient.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled study compares the incidence of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice after general tracheal anaesthesia when applying betamethasone gel (betamethasone group) or lidocaine jelly (lidocaine group) on the tracheal tube. One hundred and fifty ASA class I and II patients undergoing elective surgeries under general orotracheal anaesthesia were randomized into three groups: betamethasone gel, lidocaine jelly, and control groups. In the post-anaesthesia care unit, a blinded anaesthesiologist interviewed all patients on postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after operation.


RESULTS
In the first 24 h after surgery, the incidence of postoperative sore throat was 40, 100, and 100%; cough was 6, 40, and 28%; and hoarseness of voice was 4.1, 32.9, and 50%, for the betamethasone, lidocaine and control groups, respectively. The incidence of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice was significantly lower in the betamethasone group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A wide spread application of betamethasone gel on the tracheal tube decreases the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice.
Sumathi
P A
PA
Department of Anaesthesiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 576104, India. pariksdoc@yahoo.com
Shenoy
T
T
Ambareesha
M
M
Krishna
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005782:Gels; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone; D008012:Lidocaine