Abstract

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a distressing complication following endotracheal intubation during general anesthesia. Ketamine gargle, with its potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, offers a novel approach to address this issue. We conducted a one-year double-blind randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of ketamine gargle in preventing POST. Methods: Patients (n=300) aged 18-65 undergoing elective surgeries were randomly assigned to receive either ketamine gargle (intervention) or placebo gargle (control) before induction of anesthesia. Incidence and severity of POST, analgesic consumption, recovery time, and patient satisfaction were assessed. Statistical analysis included t-tests, chi-square tests, and descriptive statistics. Results: Ketamine gargle significantly reduced the incidence of POST across all intervals (0-2, 2-6, and 6-24 hours) compared to placebo (P<0.05). POST severity was consistently lower in the ketamine group (P<0.001). Ketamine group had reduced analgesic consumption (P<0.001) and shorter time to meet discharge criteria (P=0.009). Patient satisfaction and comfort were significantly higher in the ketamine group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Ketamine gargle effectively reduced POST incidence and severity, improved analgesic consumption, recovery time, and patient satisfaction. These findings underscore its potential as a valuable perioperative intervention. Further research into long-term effects and broader applications is warranted.

Description