Intracuff 2% lignocaine versus topical 2% lignocaine jelly for postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, and emergence cough after general anaesthesia: a prospective randomised comparative study.

Dr.Bandela Raju; Malothu Suryakumari; Sireesh

doi:10.51168/ycz1q336

Authors

Dr. Bandela Raju Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India
Dr. Suryakumari. Malothu Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India
Dr. Sireesh Kumar Pannati Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Mahabubabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/ycz1q336

Keywords:

Lignocaine, lidocaine, endotracheal intubation, postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, emergence cough, general anaesthesia

Abstract

Background

Postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough affect recovery after tracheal intubation. The clinical effect of lignocaine depends on its formulation and route of administration.

Objectives

To compare intracuff 2% lignocaine with topical 2% lignocaine jelly for postoperative airway symptoms in adults undergoing elective general anaesthesia.

Methods

This prospective randomised comparative study included 100 patients undergoing elective surgery at Osmania Medical College and Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad. Participants were randomly allocated by lottery into two groups: intracuff 2% lignocaine (Group A, n = 50) and topical 2% lignocaine jelly (Group B, n = 50). Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness were evaluated at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours, while emergence cough was assessed following extubation. Categorical outcomes were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.

Results

At 1hour, postoperative sore throat was significantly less frequent in Group A than in Group B (28% versus 50%; risk ratio [RR] = 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33–0.95; p = 0.024). At 6 hours (16% versus 30%; p = 0.096), 12 hours (10% versus 20%; p = 0.161), and 24 hours (2% versus 4%; p = 1.000), differences were not statistically significant. Emergence cough occurred in 42% and 50% of patients, respectively (RR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.55–1.29; p = 0.422). Hoarseness at 1 hour was 16% versus 28% (p = 0.148), without a statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

Intracuff lignocaine showed a nominal early sore-throat advantage, without demonstrated sustained benefit or significant differences in cough or hoarseness. Multiple assessments and inconsistent outcome summaries limit inference.

Recommendations

Further multicentre randomized studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm whether intracuff 2% lignocaine provides a consistent reduction in postoperative sore throat. Future studies should use standardized definitions and uniform grading systems for sore throat, hoarseness, and emergence cough at predefined time point

Author Biographies

Dr. Bandela Raju, Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India. His academic interests include perioperative medicine, airway management, postoperative recovery, and clinical anaesthesia research.
Dr. Suryakumari. Malothu, Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Narsampet, Telangana, India. Her professional interests include airway management, perioperative anaesthesia, postoperative complications, and evidence-based clinical research.
Dr. Sireesh Kumar Pannati, Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Mahabubabad, Telangana, India

Dr. Sireesh Kumar Pannati is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Government Medical College and Government General Hospital, Mahabubabad, Telangana, India. His areas of interest include general anaesthesia, perioperative patient safety, airway-related complications, and clinical research in anaesthesiology.

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