Effect of Licorice and Green Tea Gargle on Post-Extubation Sore Throat, Cough and Hoarseness in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Endotracheal extubation is associated with high complications such as sore throat, cough, and hoarseness.

This study was performed aimed to compare the effect of green tea and licorice gargle on sore throat, cough, and hoarseness after endotracheal extubation.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in the operating rooms and surgical wards of two hospitals in Tehran during 2020-2021. A total of 102 candidates for elective surgery were allocated to licorice, green tea, and control groups by simple random allocation. The scores of sore throat, cough, and hoarseness were assessed one hour after endotracheal extubation. After the gag reflex returned, 30 cc of the prepared solutions was given to the patients to gargle for 30 seconds. The intervention was repeated two hours later. The scores were assessed in the three groups immediately after the first stage of the intervention (post test1), and two hours after the second stage of the intervention (Post-test 2). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and One-way Analysis of Variance-ANOVA, Repeated Measure ANOVA and post hoc test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was significant difference between the three groups regarding sore throat, cough, and hoarseness variables in the post-test 1 and post-test 2 stages (P<0.05). The intervention groups had significantly reduced scores in three main variables compared to the control group (P< 0.05), but the difference between the two intervention groups was not significant (P> 0.05). Implications for Practice: Gargle of licorice solutions or green tea is recommended as a non-pharmacological and low-cost intervention to reduce post-extubation complications.