Abstract
Purpose
Dexamethasone may have potential advantages in the prevention of postoperative sore throat. We therefore undertook a study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenously administered dexamethasone in reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.
Methods
In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 120 patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (control) patients received normal saline 2 mL iv and group 2 (D) patients received dexamethasone 8 mg iv. After surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and with effort (swallowing movement) for postoperative sore throat were recorded by a blinded observer.
Results
The overall incidence of postoperative sore throat during the first 24 hr following surgery was lower in dexamethasone group (D) compared to the control group (C). Eleven (20%) patients in the dexamethasone group had postoperative sore throat, compared to 31 (56.3%) patients in the control group (P < 0.01). Postoperatively at one hour, three hours, six hours, 12 hr and 24 hr, the VAS scores for postoperative sore throat at rest and during effort were lower in the dexamethasone group (D) compared to the control group (P < 0.01) at corresponding time intervals.
Conclusion
Preoperative administration of dexamethasone 8 mg iv reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.
Résumé
Objectif
La dexaméthasone pourrait avoir des avantages potentiels pour la prévention des maux de gorge postopératoires. C’est pourquoi nous avons entrepris une étude afin d’évaluer l’efficacité de la dexaméthasone administrée en iv dans la réduction de l’incidence et de la sévérité des maux de gorge postopératoires chez les patients recevant une anesthésie générale avec intubation endotrachéale.
Méthode
Dans une étude randomisée, en double aveugle et contrôlée par placebo, 120 patients recevant une anesthésie générale avec intubation endotrachéale ont été randomisés en deux groupes. Les patients du groupe 1 (témoin) ont reçu du sérum physiologique 2 mL iv et les patients du groupe 2 (D) ont reçu de la dexaméthasone 8 mg iv. Après la chirurgie, les scores de l’échelle visuelle analogue (EVA) au repos et à l’effort (mouvement de déglutition) pour les maux de gorge postopératoires ont été enregistrés par un observateur en aveugle.
Résultats
L’incidence globale de mal de gorge postopératoire durant les premières 24 h suivant la chirurgie était plus basse dans le groupe dexaméthasone (D) comparé au groupe témoin (C). Onze (20 %) patients du groupe dexaméthasone ont souffert de mal de gorge postopératoire, comparé à 31 (56,3 %) patients dans le groupe témoin (P < 0,01). A une heure, trois heures, six, douze et 24 heures postopératoires, les scores EVA pour le mal de gorge postopératoire au repos et à l’effort étaient plus bas dans le groupe dexaméthasone (D) que dans le groupe témoin (P < 0,01) aux intervalles de temps correspondants.
Conclusion
L’administration préopératoire de dexaméthasone 8 mg iv réduit l’incidence et la sévérité des maux de gorge postopératoires chez les patients recevant une anesthésie générale avec intubation endotrachéale.
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Thomas, S., Beevi, S. Dexamethasone reduces the severity of postoperative sore throat. Can J Anesth 54, 897–901 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026793
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026793