A clinical study of ultrasound-guided internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve block to treat postoperative sore throat after extubation under general anesthesia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve (ibSLN) block to treat postoperative sore throat (POST) after extubation under general anesthesia. Methods Sixty patients, aged from 18 to 45 years old, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) Ⅰ or Ⅱ who suffered from moderate to severe postoperative sore throat after extubation under general anesthesia were selected. They were divided into two groups according to the random number table method (n= 30): a lidocaine combined with budesonide aerosol inhalation group (group L) and an iBSLN block group (group S). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and the significant analgesic efficiency rate of POST were recorded in two groups immediately before treatment (T0), 10 min after treatment (T1), 30 min after treatment (T2), 1 h after treatment (T3), 2 h after treatment (T4), 4 h after treatment (T5), 8 h after treatment (T6), and 24 h after treatment (T7). The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were also recorded from T0 to T7. Adverse reactions such as chocking on water, regurgitation and aspiration, hoarseness and dyspnea were observed in the two groups, while the score of patient satisfaction towards treatment was evaluated. Results The VAS score of POST in group S was lower than that in group L from T0 to T6 (P<0.05). The significant analgesic efficiency rate of POST in group S was significantly higher than that in group L from T1 to T6 (P<0.05). Compared with group L, heart rate in group S reduced from T1 to T4 (P<0.05), while MAP decreased from T1 to T3 (P<0.05). The satisfaction score of group S was higher than that of group L (P< 0.05). No chocking on water, regurgitation and aspiration, hoarseness, and dyspnea was found in the two groups. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided ibSLN block can effectively treat POST after extubation under general anesthesia, with remarkably improved analgesic effects in comparison with traditional methods where hormone combined with local anesthetic aerosol are inhaled. It provides a good approach to treat POST after extubation under general anesthesia. Key words: Ultrasound-guided; Superior laryngeal nerve; Nerve blocking anesthesia; Postoperative sore throat; Anesthesia, general