A Comparative Study of the Preoperative Use of Lidocaine Gargle Versus Rosemary Gargle Effects on Sore Throat and Hoarseness after Endotracheal Intubation Under General Anesthesia in Patients Who Are Candidates for Surgeries

Abstract

Background: Sore throat and hoarseness are common and unpleasant postoperative complications. Local use of rosemary and lidocaine is considered among anesthesiologists for their anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we compare the impacts of these substances on Sore throat and hoarseness. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial study conducted on 90 patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. Patients were randomly divided into three equal groups, Lidocaine gargle, Rosemary gargle, and control group, in which the tube cuff was filled with air till pressure reached under 30 cm H2O. Sore throat severity was assessed based on VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), and hoarseness severity was assessed based on the GRBAS scale immediately after extubation, within every 15 minutes in recovery and every 2 hours until 6 hours, then 12 and 24 hours after extubation. Findings: The findings of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between the severity of sore throat in different study groups at all times of study. Examining the trend of changes in the average severity of sore throat showed that this relationship was significant from the 30th minute (P = 0.009) until 24 hours after the operation (P < 0.001). Also, the results of this study showed that the severity of hoarseness between the study groups decreased significantly at all times of the study. Examining the trend of changes showed that this significant relationship remains from the 30th minute (P = 0.041) to the last measurement time (24 hours after the operation) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the use of lidocaine and rosemary significantly reduces the severity of both sore throat and hoarseness from the 30th minute to at least 24 hours after intubation. Also, the effect of lidocaine on reducing sore throat and hoarseness is greater than that of rosemary. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.