Comparative evaluation of aspirin and magnesium sulphate gargles for prevention of postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication afterendotracheal intubation. POST contributes to discomfort and morbidity for thepatient. POST is the result of local tissue trauma due to laryngoscopy and endotrachealintubation leading to the inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Aspirin is acommonly used NSAID which acts by inhibiting the prostaglandin system. Aspiringargles have been observed to significantly reduce the incidence and severityof POST. Magnesium, an NMDA receptor antagonist in a few preliminary studieshas also been seen to reduce POST. However; definitive evidence on the role ofmagnesium sulphate gargles for the prevention of POST is lacking. Aim of thestudy is to compare the efficacy of gargles with aspirin and magnesium sulphatefor the prevention ofpostoperative sore throat in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy in proneposition.  A prospective, randomized, double blindedstudy will be conducted on sixty patients of either sex between age group 18 to65 years belonging to ASA grade I, II and III scheduledfor elective lumbar laminectomy under general anaesthesia. Patients willbe randomly allocated to two groups –Group A and Group B of 30 patients each.Group A patients will receive gargle solution of tab Aspirin 325mg in 20ml of5% dextrose while group B patients will receive gargle solution of 2mlMagnesium sulphate in 20ml of 5% dextrose. In Post anesthesia care unit (PACU),patients will be evaluated for incidence and severity of sore throat usingNumerical Rating Scale (NRS) and severity grading scale at 1, 2, 4 and 24 hrspostoperatively. This study will aidelucidating the role of magnesium sulphate gargles for the prevention of POST.