Prophylactic effectiveness of budesonide inhalation in reducing postoperative throat complaints

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of budesonide suspension inhalation in reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat (POST) and hoarseness induced by tracheal intubation. Methods: 120 patients scheduled for thyroid surgery with general anaesthesia were randomized into 3 groups. Group A received 200 mcg budesonide inhalation suspension (BIS) 10 min prior to the tracheal intubation and received the same treatment 6 h and 24 h after extubation. Group B received 200 mcg BIS 6 h and 24 h after extubation. Control group received the same scheduled treatment as Group A, but the BIS was replaced with 2 ml normal saline. The patients were evaluated for POST and hoarseness 1, 24 and 48h after extubation and the status of laryngopharynx was examined and recorded as well. Results: The incidences of post-operation complaints in three groups were 72.5%, 82.5% and 87.55% for POST, and 37.3%, 52.5% and 75% for hoarseness, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of POST between three groups. However, hoarseness occurred significantly less frequently in Group A in comparison to Group B and control group (P<0.05). One hour post extubation, Group A exhibited significantly less severe POST and hoarseness compared to the other two groups (P<0.05), which disappeared 24 h later. One hour after extubation both VAS scores of POST and hoarseness were significantly lower in Group A than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). The mucositis scores of laryngopharynx at 1,24 and 48 h post extubation were significantly lower in Group A compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: The prophylactic use of inhaled budesonide suspension significantly decreases the incidence and severity of sore throat and hoarseness after tracheal intubation. © 2012 Chen YQ, et al.