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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
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CO2-Lasertonsillotomy Under Local Anesthesia in Adults
Published on: November 6, 2019
Lidocaine for preventing postoperative sore throat
Yuu Tanaka1, Takeo Nakayama, Mina Nishimori
1Department of Anaesthesia, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijyouchyo Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 10, 2009
Summary
Lidocaine effectively prevents and reduces the severity of postoperative sore throat after tracheal intubation. This systematic review confirms lidocaine
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Postoperative sore throat is a frequent complication following general anesthesia and tracheal intubation, affecting 30-70% of patients.
- Factors influencing sore throat include endotracheal tube type, diameter, and cuff pressure.
- Prophylactic medications, such as local anesthetics and steroids, are considered for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical and systemic lidocaine for preventing postoperative sore throat in adults undergoing endotracheal intubation.
- To assess the impact of lidocaine on both the incidence and severity of sore throat.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted, searching CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases.
- Included trials compared topical or systemic lidocaine therapy against a control group (air or saline).
- Data on the risk and severity of postoperative sore throat were extracted and analyzed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Fifteen studies involving 1232 patients were included; 672 received lidocaine and 560 were in the control group.
- Both topical and systemic lidocaine significantly reduced the risk of postoperative sore throat (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.82).
- A trend towards reduced sore throat severity (MD -11.9; 95% CI -16.44 to -7.32) was observed, though not statistically significant. Adverse effects were not reported.
Conclusions:
- Topical and systemic lidocaine are effective in preventing postoperative sore throat after tracheal intubation.
- Lidocaine therapy demonstrated a tendency to reduce both the incidence and severity of sore throat.
- Factors influencing lidocaine's effect size include drug concentration, administration route, cuff pressure management, patient population, and outcome measurement.
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