Dr. K. S. Asha
BACKGROUND Postoperative sore throat is a common complication of general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation that affects the patient’s satisfaction after surgery. Post-operative sore throat (POST) following tracheal intubation is due to the trauma to the airway mucosa. The reported incidence of post-operative sore throat varies from 21%- 65%. Our study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of ketamine nebulization for attenuating POST in patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Ketamine is N methyl D aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, involved in anti-nociception and anti-inflammatory cascade. METHODS 200 patients aged 20-60 years belonging to ASA PS I-II, scheduled for elective surgeries under general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation satisfying the inclusion criteria were assigned into 2 groups of 100 each. Group 1: Patients received nebulization with 50 mg ketamine in 4 ml normal saline. Group 2: Patients received 5 ml normal saline; they were given nebulization 10 minutes prior induction. RESULTS In our study, the overall incidence of POST was less in ketamine group when compared to saline group. Our study also revealed that duration of intubation is a significant risk factor for postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing surgeries under general anaesthesia with endotracheal tube. CONCLUSIONS From our study we conclude that ketamine nebulization had significant impact on both reductions in incidence as well as severity of postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing surgeries under general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation.
