The Comparison of Beclomethasone Inhaler and Intravenous Lidocaine in Prevention of Postoperative Airway and Throat Complaints

Tracheal intubation can result in trauma and nerve damage which may also account for postoperative throat symptoms such as hoarseness and dysphagia. The effects of beclomethasone inhaler and intravenous lidocaine in prevention of the above symptoms were documented in previous studies. The aim of the present study is comparison of the effects of beclomethasone inhaler with various clinically used dosages of intravenous lidocaine prior to endotracheal intubation on the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat, cough, sputum, hoarseness, and dysphagia. A total of 120 patients undergoing elective operations were enrolled in this randomized double-blind clinical trial. Patients were assigned to one of four treatment modalities: lidocaine 1mg/kg (group L1), lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (group L2), a dose of 50 micrograms beclomethasone inhaler (Group B), and normal saline (Group C). Incidence and severity of sore throat, cough, sputum, hoarseness, and dysphagia were compared between the groups before leaving the operating room, 1 hr later, at the time of the first postoperative drink or meal (for assessment of dysphagia), and in the morning after the surgery. In all time intervals of evaluating postoperative symptoms, the incidence and severity of sore throat were significantly lower in groups L2 and B than in group C (P <0.05). One and twenty hours after emergence of anesthesia, the incidence and severity of cough were significantly lower in groups L2 and B than in group C (P <0.05). The incidence and severity of sore throat or cough was not significantly different between groups L2 and B. Throughout the study, the incidence and severity of sputum were significantly lower in group B than in group C (P <0.05). Beclomehtasone in comparison with intravenous lidocaine prior to intubation decreases the postoperative sore throat and cough. In addition, beclomethasone inhaler decreases the incidence and severity of postoperative sputum.