Topical tenoxicam from pharyngeal pack reduces postoperative sore throat

Background: One puff of beclomethasone inhaler has been shown to reduce the incidence of sore throat following endotracheal intubation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a pharyngeal pack on the incidence of sore throat and whether tenoxicam-impregnated gauze pack significantly influenced the frequency of sore throat. Methods: Eighty patients undergoing general anaesthesia for elective surgery of the nasal septum were evaluated. The anaesthetist sprayed the upper airway towards the trachea with one puff of beclomethasone inhaler (50 mu g) before orotracheal intubation. Patients were randomly assigned to have either a 0.2% tenoxicam- or a 0.9% saline-impregnated gauze pack in the oropharynx during operation. They were evaluated for occurrence and severity of postoperative sore throat by direct questions 12-24 h after surgery. Results: Four patients who experienced any symptoms in the tenoxicam group scored mild sore throat compared to 16 patients in the control group scoring mild, gradually developing moderate or severe sore throat (P<0.01). No drug-related side effects were observed. Conclusion: The intraoperative use of a tenoxicam-impregnated gauze pack is effective in reducing moderate or severe postoperative sore throat following the use of throat pack. (C) Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 44 (2000).