title: Effects of intravenous diclofenac on postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi: a prospective, randomized, double blind controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  postoperative sore throat is the commonest complication after endotracheal intubation. The efficacy of intravenous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in alleviating postoperative sore throat has not been investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of intravenous diclofenac sodium on the occurrence and severity of postoperative sore throat.
  
  
  METHODS
  42 in-patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery were randomized into two equal groups to receive either a single dose of 75mg intravenous diclofenac sodium in addition to standard treatment taken at our hospital for the prevention of postoperative sore throat or to receive standard treatment only. All patients were interviewed postoperatively at 2, 6 and 18 hours. Data of the baseline characteristics, the incidence and severity of sore throat were collected. If sore throat was present, a Visual Analogue Score was used to assess its severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the baseline characteristics of the participants were similar. The majority of the patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were women. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence or severity of postoperative sore throat between the diclofenac and standard treatment groups at 2, 6 and 18 hours postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous diclofenac sodium does not reduce the occurrence or severity of postoperative sore throat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Agakhan University, East Africa.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thang'a
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Agakhan University, East Africa.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kamya
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Agakhan University, East Africa.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mung'ayi
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004008:Diclofenac