In Ear Surgeries Intravenous Dexamethasone Preoperatively Decreases Post Operative Sore Throat After Endotracheal Intubation in Adult Patients: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

Sore throat is commonly seen after general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. It is distressing for the patient as it delays return to work, increases morbidity and bad memories of the surgical period with disturbances in sleep. This double-blinded prospective randomized study was done to know the efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone in decreasing the incidence of postoperative sore throat at 1, 6 and 24 h after tracheal extubation. 60 patients aged 18–50 years scheduled for ear surgeries under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, were randomly allocated into two groups A and B. The patients received either intravenous 0.2 mg/kg diluted till 4 ml dexamethasone (group A, n = 30) or 4 ml normal saline (group B, n = 30) prior to induction. Endotracheal intubation was done to secure the airway. Follow up for the incidence of sore throat was done at 1, 6 and 24 h post-extubation. At 1 h, 6 h and 24 h after extubating the patient, the incidence of sore throat in the control group was significantly less in dexamethasone group compared to the control group (p < 0.039, 0.024, 0.032) respectively. Prophylactic intravenous dexamethasone in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg can reduce the incidence of postoperative sore throat after extubation with minimal side effects.