Lignocaine viscous gargle versus ketamine gargle for the prevention of post-operative sore throat after classic laryngeal mask airway insertion

: A prospective randomised trial

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Sangeeta Dhanger, Bhavani Vaidiyanathan, Idhuyya Joseph Rajesh, Debendra Kumar Tripathy DOI:10.4103/ARWY.ARWY_5_18   Background and Aims: Post-operative sore throat (POST) after general anaesthesia has been ranked as the eighth most important problem of the current clinical anaesthesiology. In comparison to endotracheal intubation, use of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has reduced the incidence of POST but has not been able to completely eliminate it. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of viscous lignocaine versus ketamine gargle for the prevention of POST after classic LMA insertion. Patients and Methods: A total of 90 patients scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia using classic LMA were randomised into two groups of 45 each; Group L (lignocaine) and Group K (ketamine). While patients in Group L received 30 mL of 2% lignocaine viscous gargle 10 min before anaesthesia, patients in Group K received 5% ketamine 1 mL (50 mg) diluted in 29 mL of water. POST was graded at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after operation on a 4-point scale (0–3). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. All data were analysed for normal distribution using the Shapiro–Wilk test, categorical data by the Chi-square test and parametric data by Student's t-test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Incidence as well as the severity of POST was significantly less in the lignocaine group (17.5% mild grade) in comparison to ketamine group (15% moderate grade and 25% mild grade). Conclusion: We conclude that compared to ketamine gargle, 2% lignocaine viscous gargle effectively reduces the incidence as well as the severity of POST following placement of classic LMA.