Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of Intravenous Lidocaine versus Alkalinized Intracuff Lidocaine on Coughing and Postoperative Sore Throat

Coughing and sore throat are among the most common complications of intubation. Variety of drugs have been experimented to reduce these complications, but the information in this regard is limited and controversial. The current study compared intracuff alkalinized lidocaine, intravenous lidocaine, and a control group. This was a randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial study on 99 patients undergoing intubation. Patients were randomly divided into three equal groups, intracuff alkalinized lidocaine, intravenous lidocaine, and control group, in them, the cuff was filled with air till pressure reached under 30 cmH2O. Cough frequency and sore throat severity were assessed and compared based on visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after extubation, and within 15 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 12, and 24 hours after extubation. Comparison of sore throat among 3 groups in different times showed no difference (P > 0.050); but within 24 hours decreased in all three groups of intracuff alkalinized lidocaine (P < 0.001), intravenous lidocaine (P < 0.001), and control (P = 0.001). Sore throat severity decreased significantly in all three groups during a period of 24 hours (P < 0.050). Comparison of cough frequency immediately after extubation (P = 0.005) and within 24 hours (P = 0.007) was significantly less in intracuff alkalinized lidocaine group. Within 24 hours, the frequency of coughing decreased significantly in all three groups of intracuff alkalinized lidocaine (P = 0.040), intravenous lidocaine (P = 0.001), and control (P = 0.002). Based on the current study, there was no difference among alkalinized intracuff lidocaine, intravenous lidocaine, and control group in the reduction of sore throat, but to reduce cough, alkalinized lidocaine was significantly influential.