Lidocaine for postoperative sore throat: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication after tracheal intubation. Various studies have examined the efficacy of interventions using lidocaine to prevent POST. Here, we present a meta-analysis assessing their efficacy.

We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of lidocaine interventions in the prevention of POST. Data synthesis was obtained by using relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the incidences of POST, cough, and hoarseness after different interventions.

Twenty-seven RCTs involving 3049 patients were analyzed, including 14 on the use of intracuff lidocaine, eight on the use of a lidocaine jelly, eight on the use of a lidocaine spray, and four on the use of intravenous lidocaine. Intracuff lidocaine and intravenous lidocaine showed significant efficacy compared with controls in preventing POST at 1 h and 24 h, whereas lidocaine jelly and lidocaine spray did not. Intracuff lidocaine, lidocaine spray, and intravenous lidocaine decreased the incidence of cough, but only the intracuff lidocaine decreased the incidence of hoarseness.

This meta-analysis indicated that intracuff lidocaine and intravenous lidocaine are effective in preventing POST. In addition, intracuff lidocaine was associated with reducing the risk of both cough and hoarseness.