Effects of intravenous lidocaine prior to intubation on postoperative airway symptoms

We investigated whether intravenous lidocaine prior to endotracheal intubation influences the postoperative airway symptoms of sore throat, cough, and sputum. After ethics committee approval, 80 patients undergoing elective operations were studied. A total of 20 patients were given lidocaine 1.0 mg.kg(-1) (group L1), 20 patients were given lidocaine 1.5 mg.kg(-1) (group L2), and 40 patients received normal saline (group C). The sore throat incidence was 20% in group L1, 0 in group L2, and 40% in group C. Cough incidence was 0 in group L1, 20% in group L2, and 40% in group C. Sputum incidence was 35% in group L1, 25% in group L2, and 47.5% in group C. There were significant differences in the incidences (P < 0.01) and severity (P < 0.01) of sore throat and cough in groups C and L (groups L1 + L2). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the incidence or severity of sputum. In conclusion, intravenous lidocaine prior to endotracheal intubation decreased the incidence of postoperative sore throat and cough.