Postoperative Sore Throat and Hoarseness : a Comparison between Endotracheal Intubation and Laryngeal Mask Insertion

Rungreungvanich M.,M.D.,Thongsukh V.,M.D.,Tontisirin O.,M.D.,Tonglim N.,R.N.,Adipat J.,R.N.

Department of Anesthesiology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, bangkok 10400

  The incidence of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness was evaluated prospectively in 200 patients undergoing general anesthesia for surgical procedures. Patients were randomly assigned to have either red rubber endotracheal tube ( group A ) or laryngeal mask ( group B ) in place during the operation and were evaluated for the occurrence of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness 24 and 48 hours after surgery.
  The incidence of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness 24 hours after surgery was significantly higher in group A than in group B ( 20%,11% versus 9% and 1% respectively ) ( p < 0.05 ). In the case of 48 hours after surgery the incidence of postoperative sore throat was significantly higher in group A than in group B ( 11% versus 2% ) ( p < 0.05 ) while the incidence of hoarseness was higher,but not statistically significant, in group A than in group B ( 4% versus 1% ).
  The data from this study indicated that the intraoperative use of laryngeal mask, compared with ths use of red rubber endotracheal tube, lowered the incidence of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness.