ABSTRACT
Background and aims: In order to reduce endotracheal tube [ETT] induced emergence phenomenon at extubation which involves postoperative sore throat [POST], cough, hoarseness, dysphagia and hemodynamic changes, we evaluated the efficacy of vegetable gum based [VGB] Lubic gel lubrication alone or in combination with 4% intracuff alkalinized lignocaine [IAL]. The vegetable gums in the gel appear to be of special significance
Methodology: 100 patients undergoing surgical procedures under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to 4 groups of 25 each. In Group C [control group] patients, the ETT cuffs were inflated with air and lubricated with normal saline. In Group G, the cuffs were inflated with air, while in Group L and LG, cuffs were filled with IAL. The Group G and LG cuffs were lubricated with VGB lubricant gel while Group L cuffs were lubricated with normal saline. During the post-extubation period POST was studied using Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] at 15 min, 1, 2, 3 and 24 h. Incidence of cough, dysphagia, hoarseness and hemodynamic changes was recorded and compared
Results: The mean VAS scores for POST were found to be the least in Group LG [12.6 +/- 7.08] compared to Groups C [33.8 +/- 9.38], G [32.52 +/- 2.11] and Group L [21.6 +/- 12.30] over 24 h. Incidence of cough, dysphagia, hoarseness and hemodynamic changes was least in Group LG compared to others
Conclusion: VGB gel lubrication combined with IAL enhanced the effect of IAL, than IAL or VGB gel lubrication alone thus proving most effective in preventing emergence phenomenon at extubation