Comparing the Prophylactic Effect of Two Different Methods of Administration of Dexamethasone (Intracuff and Intravenous) on Postoperative Sore Throat and Cough

Of the most common complications occur after anesthesia with intubation is postoperative sore throat, coughing after extubation, and hoarseness. Today, the use of dexamethasone before surgery is effective in controlling these complications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the prophylactic effect of two different methods of administration of dexamethasone (intracuff and intrsvenous) on sore throat and cough after surgery. In this clinical trial study, 96 patients undergoing general anesthesia and intubation were randomly assigned into three groups. The first group received 4 mg intravenous dexamethasone, the second group received 4 mg intracuff dexamethasone, and the third group received placebo. The frequency of cough and the severity of a sore throat were evaluated in three groups. There was no significant difference between the three groups based on hemodynamic variables (P > 0.05), but the cough rate in the first and second groups was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the mean of the severity of sore throat in recovery and 1 hour after surgery in the first and second groups were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference between the groups based on the severity of sore throat within 24 hours after surgery (P > 0.05). Using intravenous and intracuff dexamethasone before surgery can reduce the amount of cough and the severity of sore throat in patients.