The aim of this study is to compare the effect of different lubricating agents used with the i-gel® laryngeal mask airwayon the incidence of postoperative sore throat. After obtaining institutional ethics approval, this prospective trial was conducted on 150 patients who were scheduled for minor surgical procedures. The study population was placed in three groups of 50 each, after randomization with computer-generated random numbers, based on the lubricant used (Group LJ: with lignocaine jelly as the lubricant, Group WJ: with water-based jelly as a lubricant, Group NS: with 0.9% normal saline as a lubricant). The time taken to secure the airway (from insertion to the first end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) tracing and five-point auscultation) and the number of attempts were noted. During extubation, blood staining was noted. In the postoperative period, sore throat was monitored with the numerical rating scale for the first 24 hours. Postoperative hoarseness of voice, cough and difficulty in swallowing were the other parameters noted. The results were entered in a standard spread sheet. Statistical analysis was done using JASP version 0.18.3.0 using the independent samples t-test and the Chi-square test for quantitative variables. All three groups were comparable in terms of demography (p > 0.05). The time taken to insertion, number of attempts and securing of the airway were also comparable amongst the three groups (p > 0.05). Blood staining during LMA removal was comparable between the three groups (p > 0.05). In the postoperative period, sore throat was comparable between the three groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of hoarseness of voice in the postoperative period however was more significant in Group LJ when compared to the other two (p < 0.05). Postoperative swallowing discomfort was also significantly higher in Group LJ than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). We conclude that lignocaine jelly, water-based jelly and normal saline used as lubricating agents on the i-gel airway did not show a difference in the incidence of postoperative sore throat. Lignocaine jelly was associated with a higher incidence of hoarseness of voice and swallowing discomfort when compared to the other lubricants.
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