A comparative study of the incidence and severity of sore throat after insertion of the laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube

Abstract

Background
Postoperative sore throat is a common and unpleasant complication following airway insertion during general anaesthesia.
Objective
We compared the incidence and severity of sore throat following passage of two airway devices.
Methods
Following ethical committee approval, patients were randomly allocated by blind balloting into one of two groups; Group ETT (n=45) had endotracheal tube insertion and group cLMA (n=45) had classic laryngeal mask airway insertion. Induction of anaesthesia was achieved with propofol 2.5 mg/kg and fentanyl 1.5μg/kg., followed by pancuronium 0.1mg/kg, after test ventilation. Introduction of airway device was done 3 minutes after administration of muscle relaxant. The incidence of dryness of the throat, hoarseness of voice, cough and severity of sore throat was accessed using visual analogue scale, on the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days.
Results
The incidence of sore throat was comparable between the two groups on both 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days, (p =0.371, p =0.668) respectively. On 1st postoperative day, incidence of cough and hoarseness were significantly more in the ETT group than in the LMA group, (p =0.001, p =0.026) respectively. While on 2nd postoperative day, the incidence of cough and hoarseness were comparable, (p =0.147, p =0.571) respectively.
Conclusion
The incidence of sore throat following the use of the classic laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube were similar. However, on 1^st postoperative day, the development of cough and hoarseness of the voice was significantly more following endotracheal tube insertion.