Dexamethasone reduces the severity of postoperative sore throat

Dexamethasone may have potential advantages in the prevention of postoperative sore throat. We therefore undertook a study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenously administered dexamethasone in reducing the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 120 patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (control) patients received normal saline 2 mL i.v. and group 2 (D) patients received dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. After surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and with effort (swallowing movement) for postoperative sore throat were recorded by a blinded observer.

The overall incidence of postoperative sore throat during the first 24 hr following surgery was lower in dexamethasone group (D) compared to the control group (C). Eleven (20%) patients in the dexamethasone group had postoperative sore throat, compared to 31 (56.3%) patients in the control group (P<0.01). Postoperatively at one hour, three hours, six hours, 12 hr and 24 hr, the VAS scores for postoperative sore throat at rest and during effort were lower in the dexamethasone group (D) compared to the control group (P<0.01) at corresponding time intervals.

Preoperative administration of dexamethasone 8 mg iv reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.