PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROL DOUBLE BLINDED TRAIL ON PREOPERATIVE ORAL ZINC TABLET DECREASING INCIDENCE OF POSTOPERATIVE SORE THROAT

Post operative sore throat (POST) is a common complaint in patients recieving general anesthesia. Although symptoms often ameliorate without any treatment, prophylactic management improves patient satisfaction and impacts discharge from hospital.Zinc is a micronutrient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property which promotes growth, tissue repair and modulates immune system. As a topical agent zinc has been used for prevention of oral mucositis in patients receiving high dose chemotherapy. Oral zinc tablets has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of POST. Zinc also prevents the cytokine release, decreases the reactive oxygen species, and subsequently decreases cyclooxygenase two expression, and prostaglandin E two release.

We hypothesized administration of oral zinc in form of dispersible tablet will reduce the incidence of POST due to its inherent anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties. To test the hypothesis this study was designed to investigate the efficacy of oral zinc sulfate given 30 minutes preoperatively in reducing POST till 24 hours after surgery, where POST was caused by endotracheal intubation. The dispersible tablet form of zinc was preferred due to its easy availability in our country and comparatively better local effect on oropharyngeal mucosa.

The primary aim of our study will be to assess the incidence and severity of POST . The secondary aim will be to assess for any side effects such as nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, diarrhea.