Evaluation of efficacy of ketamine nebulization on reduction of incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat due to tracheal intubation- A prospective randomized controlled study

Abstract

Postoperative sore throat (POST) following endotracheal intubation during general anaesthesia (GA) is a common complication that leads to patient pain and is estimated to occur in approximately 21-65 percent of patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of topical ketamine administration by nebulization in reducing the occurrence and severity of POST.After given written informed consent, a total of 134 patients with ASA I-II in the age range of 18-60 years, of either sex, undergoing surgery under GA were selected for this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group S received 5.0 ml saline nebulisation, while group K got ketamine 50 mg (1.0 ml) in combination with 4.0 ml saline nebulization for 15 minutes. GA was induced 10 minutes after nebulization was completed. After extubating, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours post-operatively, POST monitoring was performed. POST was graded on a scale of 0 to 3.POST occurred in 44.03 percent of patients overall, with 41 patients in group S (61.19 percent) and 18 patients in group K (26.86 percent) experiencing POST throughout the study period. (0.001) (P = 0.001). At 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively, the use of ketamine nebulization significantly reduced POST (P 0.05). At 2 h (P=0.04) and 4 h (P = 0.002) postextubation, the severity of sore throat was also greater in the saline group than in the ketamine group.Preoperative nebulized ketamine is helpful at reducing the occurrence and severity of postoperative sore throat without causing any adverse effects.