title: Dexamethasone for preventing postoperative sore throat: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following tracheal intubation. The effectiveness of prophylactic dexamethasone on POST needs further elucidation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravenous dexamethasone for the prevention of POST in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by literature searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database. Systematic review was performed by two independent investigators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We summarized 7 RCTs including 727 participants. Intravenous dexamethasone significantly reduced the risk of POST at 24 h [pooled risk ratio (RR) = 0.676; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.494-0.925; P = 0.014; heterogeneity test, I (2) = 45.8 %], as well as alleviating its severity [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.15; 95 % CI -1.86 to -0.45; P = 0.002; heterogeneity test, I (2) = 91.7 %]. Further sub-group analysis indicated a significant relationship between dexamethasone and reduced risk of POST when its dose was over 0.1 mg/kg. No severe adverse effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that intravenous dexamethasone reduces the risk and severity of POST from intubation at 24 h. The effective dosage of dexamethasone for preventing the risk of POST appeared to be over 0.1 mg/kg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, NO.17 Panjiayuannanli Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone