Clinical Trial investigates the effectiveness of Gargling before Tracheal Intubation

Tracheal intubation is a medical procedure that involves the insertion of a tube into the trachea, which is the airway that leads from the mouth and nose to the lungs. This procedure is done to help patients breathe better, to deliver anesthesia during surgery, or to remove secretions from the lungs.

While tracheal intubation is a common and important medical intervention, it can also lead to complications, such as a sore throat, cough, and hoarseness, after the procedure. These complications can be uncomfortable and may delay a patient's recovery.

To minimize these complications, researchers have been studying ways to prevent them. One potential approach is gargling with licorice extract, ketamine, and magnesium sulfate before tracheal intubation. This clinical trial aims to investigate whether this approach can effectively prevent postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness.

Understanding the potential complications of tracheal intubation and ways to prevent them can improve patient outcomes and make the procedure safer and more comfortable for patients.

Clinical Trial

The trial involved 105 patients who were having surgery that required a tube to be inserted into their throat. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was asked to gargle with a different substance before the surgery: ketamine, licorice extract, or magnesium sulfate. The patients were asked to gargle for 15 seconds twice, and then spit out the substance.

After the surgery, the patients were monitored for any signs of sore throat, coughing, or hoarseness. The monitoring started right after the tube was removed from their throat and continued for 45 minutes. The patients were also asked about any soreness, coughing, or hoarseness they experienced 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after the surgery.

Results

The researchers found that there was no difference between the three groups in terms of their oxygen levels, heart rate, blood pressure, or the length of the surgery. However, they did find that the patients who gargled with ketamine had less soreness in their throat at 8 and 12 hours after the surgery compared to the patients who gargled with licorice extract or magnesium sulfate. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of coughing or hoarseness.

The researchers concluded that gargling with ketamine, licorice extract, or magnesium sulfate can help reduce soreness, coughing, and hoarseness after surgery. However, ketamine seems to be more effective at reducing soreness in the throat. The researchers also noted that the final decision on which substance to use would depend on the patient's preference and the doctor's recommendation.

Conclusion

This clinical trial shows that gargling with ketamine, licorice extract, or magnesium sulfate before surgery can help reduce soreness, coughing, and hoarseness after surgery, with ketamine being the most effective at reducing soreness. If you are having surgery, talk to your doctor about whether gargling with these substances before the surgery might help reduce any discomfort you might experience afterward.

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