Incidence of Sore Throat in Postoperative Patients After Use of Betamethasone Gel Compared With Lidocaine Gel During Endotracheal Intubation

This study aims to resolve the debate over the superiority of betamethasone versus lidocaine in preventing POST. Achieving clarity on this issue will not only reduce patient morbidity but also help decrease the duration of hospital stays and lower hospital bed occupancy.The study will commence following the approval of the synopsis by the Research Department of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan (CPSP). All patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia who fulfil the inclusion criteria will be included in the study from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC). Informed written consent will be obtained from the patients prior to their inclusion in the study.

Initial data, including name, date of presentation, age, weight, height, BMI and gender will be recorded on a predesigned proforma. Patients will then be divided into two group (A and B) through simple random sampling software. In Group A patients, before induction of anesthesia, endotracheal tube will be lubricated with 2.5ml of 0.05% Betamethasone dipropionate gel, from distal end of cuff to 15cm mark on endotracheal tube. In Group B patients, lubrication will be done in a similar manner using 2.5ml of 2% Lidocaine gel. After induction of anesthesia (with IV Propofol 2.5mg/kg, Nalbuphine 0.1mg/kg, Atracurium 0.5mg/kg) and 3 minutes of bag mask ventilation, trachea will be intubated with endotracheal tube of size 7 or 7.5mm according to internal diameter of trachea. Successful endotracheal intubation will be confirmed by capnography and bilaterally equal air entry. Maintenance of general anesthesia will be done by Isoflurane and 60% oxygen mixed with compressed air. Upon completion of surgery, Isoflurane will be discontinued, and residual neuromuscular blockage will be antagonized by Neostigmine 0.05mg/kg. The trachea will be extubated after the patient is fully awake. All patients will be shifted to post-anesthesia care unit where standard ASA monitoring will be continued by a team of anesthetists. The presence and grading of Postoperative sore throat will be done by researcher himself, according to POST Scores at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively, in presence of consultant anesthetist of 5 years of experience. The study will be relevant and specific towards its objective and proper exclusion criteria will be used to control any bias / confounders.