Risk factors for development of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness after endotracheal intubation in women: a...

Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness are common and disturbing complications following endotracheal intubation, and women are more frequently affected by these symptoms. This study explores risk factors associated with postoperative sore throat and hoarseness in women following intubation. In this prospective cross-sectional study, 97 patients undergoing elective ear, nose, and throat surgery or plastic surgery were included. Eight different variables were analyzed to detect possible associations for the development of postoperative sore throat or hoarseness. For data analysis, the chi2 test and the odds ratio were used. Three variables were found to be significant risk factors for postoperative sore throat: age greater than 60 years (P = .01), the use of a throat pack (P = .04), and endotracheal tube No. 7.0 (size 7 mm; P = .02). The only risk factor found to be significantly associated with developing hoarseness was an endotracheal cuff pressure below 20 centimeters of water (P = .04). Larger studies are needed to confirm these risk factors.