Preoperative gum chewing for different durations to prevent postoperative sore throat after endotracheal intubation: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundPostoperative sore throat (POST) is one of the most prevalent patient complaints following endotracheal intubation (ETI). We conducted this trial to evaluate the preoperative chewing gums' effect for two or 4 min on POST after ETI. Patients and methodsThis randomized controlled trial enrolled 150 female cases aged from 21 to 65 years old planned for elective breast surgery under general anesthesia. Cases were randomly distributed into three equal groups. Patients chewed one piece of sugar-free herbal gum for 2 min in Group G2 and for 4 min in Group G4 then spat it out. Group C: patients swallowed two times only before surgery. ResultsOne case in group G2, and two cases in group G4, and in group C dropped out. The numeric rating scale (NRS) was significantly lower in group G2 and group G4 than in group C with no difference between group G2 and group G4 at 2, 6, and 24h. Incidence of moderate/severe POST was significantly lower in both G2(16.33%) and G4 (10.42%) groups than in group C (54.17%), with no significant difference between group G2 and G4. Cough was significantly lower in group G2 (8.16%) and group G4(4.17%) than in group C (22.92%), with no significant difference between groups G2 and G4. Hoarseness of voice was comparable among the studied groups. ConclusionPreoperative gum chewing can efficiently decrease the incidence of POST following ETI. Chewing gum for 2 min is non-inferior to chewing gum for 4 min to decrease POST incidence.