Comparison of ketamine nebulisation with ketamine gargle in attenuating post operative sore throat

Abstract

Background & Objective: Sore throat is a common morbidity following tracheal intubation in the post operative period. Our aim was to compare ketamine nebulisation with ketamine gargle to see the effectiveness of nebulisation over gargle in reducing the incidence and severity of post operative sore throat (POST). Methods: In this prospective, randomized study 80 patients between 20-60 year, of either sex belonging to ASA I/II, scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia, were assigned into two groups of 40 patients each. Group GK received preservative free ketamine 50mg in 29 ml of saline, gargled for 30 seconds and Group NK received ketamine 50 mg in 4ml of normal saline via nebulisation for 15 min. General anaesthesia was induced 5 min later in both the groups. Postoperatively sore throat was assessed at 0, 2, 4, 24 hrs using four point scale(0-3). Results: The incidence of POST at 0, 2, 4, 24 hrs was 27%, 25%, 20% and 17% respectively in GK group and 20%, 17.5%, 12.5% and 7.5% in NK group respectively with no statistical difference between the two. Both the groups showed more than 50% reduction from the reported incidence of 21-65% of POST. None of the patients in either group experienced severe sore throat. Conclusion: Ketamine nebulisation is an effective alternative to ketamine gargle in attenuating POST. Key words: Ketamine gargle, Ketamine nebulisation, Post-operative sore throat, Endotracheal intubation, General anaesthesia