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Oct 30, 2006Article Details
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Postoperative throat complications after tracheal intubation
Abstract
Background: A prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence of sore throat after endotracheal intubation and the associated causative factors.
Methods: Two hundred patients aged 18-77 years who had surgery over sixteen months were studied. Sizes 7mm - 8.0mm internal diameter (I.D) portex endotracheal tubes with cuff were used for females while sizes 8.5mm - 9.0mm I.D were used for males. A standardized form was used to collect patients' details, types of surgery, technique of airway maintenance and number of attempts at intubation. The use of nasogastric tubes, throat pack, duration of intubation and status of the anaesthetists were also noted. The presence of sore throat and other throat complications were determined within 24 - 36 hours after surgery.
Results: One hundred twenty six (63%) patients experienced throat complications. The incidence of sore throat was similar in both males and females. There was no statistically significant difference P=1.0000, odd ratio = 1.035, 95% CI: 0.5064 - 2.115. There was no statistical difference between the group whose tubes were lubricated and the one without tube lubrication. P = 0.5296, odds ratio - 1.255; 95% CI: 0.6702 - 2.351. There was statistically significant difference between the incidence of throat complications in throat related surgery and non- throat related surgery. P=0.0001., odds ratio-9.771, 95% CI: 3.065-31.148. Multiple attempts at intubation did not contribute to the development of sore throat. Duration of intubation greater than 60 minutes contributed to a higher incidence of throat complications and it was considered statistically significant.
Conclusion: Routine endotracheal intubation can result in trauma and pathological changes, which could lead to postoperative throat symptoms. There is need to further evaluate if the use of smaller sized endotracheal tubes could reduce the incidence of throat complications.
Keywords: postoperative, sore throat, endotracheal intubation
Annals of African Medicine Vol. 5 (1) 2006: 28–32
Methods: Two hundred patients aged 18-77 years who had surgery over sixteen months were studied. Sizes 7mm - 8.0mm internal diameter (I.D) portex endotracheal tubes with cuff were used for females while sizes 8.5mm - 9.0mm I.D were used for males. A standardized form was used to collect patients' details, types of surgery, technique of airway maintenance and number of attempts at intubation. The use of nasogastric tubes, throat pack, duration of intubation and status of the anaesthetists were also noted. The presence of sore throat and other throat complications were determined within 24 - 36 hours after surgery.
Results: One hundred twenty six (63%) patients experienced throat complications. The incidence of sore throat was similar in both males and females. There was no statistically significant difference P=1.0000, odd ratio = 1.035, 95% CI: 0.5064 - 2.115. There was no statistical difference between the group whose tubes were lubricated and the one without tube lubrication. P = 0.5296, odds ratio - 1.255; 95% CI: 0.6702 - 2.351. There was statistically significant difference between the incidence of throat complications in throat related surgery and non- throat related surgery. P=0.0001., odds ratio-9.771, 95% CI: 3.065-31.148. Multiple attempts at intubation did not contribute to the development of sore throat. Duration of intubation greater than 60 minutes contributed to a higher incidence of throat complications and it was considered statistically significant.
Conclusion: Routine endotracheal intubation can result in trauma and pathological changes, which could lead to postoperative throat symptoms. There is need to further evaluate if the use of smaller sized endotracheal tubes could reduce the incidence of throat complications.
Keywords: postoperative, sore throat, endotracheal intubation
Annals of African Medicine Vol. 5 (1) 2006: 28–32
