Comparing the preemptive effect of 4 and 8 mg intracuff dexamethasone on postoperative sore throat and cough

Abstract

Background: Postoperative sore throat after extubation is a common complication after surgery following general anesthesia. Several methods have been proposed, such as the use of intracuff dexamethasone to control these complications, but there is not always a standard method for it. The purpose of this study was to compare the precautionary effect of two different doses of intracuff dexamethasone (4 and 8 mg) on postoperative sore throat and cough. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 90 patients underwent general anesthesia with intubation were included. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received 4 mg, and the second one, 8 mg dexamethasone, and the third, physiologic serum in the form of intracuff before intubation. Postoperative sore throat and cough were compared between the three groups. Findings: The mean intensity of postoperative sore throat at recovery, and 1 and 24 hours later, and the number of coughing in recovery in the first and second groups was significantly lower than the placebo group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the first and second groups based on postoperative sore throat and cough (P > 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the three groups based on demographic data. Conclusion: The use of intracuff dexamethasone in doses of 4 and 8 mg has a beneficial effect on reducing complications after extubation, such as sore throat and postoperative cough, and there is no difference between the two doses in reducing these complications. © 2019, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.