Effectiveness of levodropropizine on post-operative sore throat after endotracheal intubation for head and neck surgery: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

@#Objective: To determine the effectiveness of levodropropizine in reducing the incidence of post-operative sore throat (POST) among ear, nose, throat, head and neck (ENT-HNS) patients undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia. Methods: Design: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: Sixty (60) ENT-HNS patients aged between 19 to 60 years old admitted to the Southern Philippines Medical Center from January to March 2019 for surgeries on benign thyroid tumors, benign submandibular gland tumors and tonsils requiring orotracheal intubation were randomized into control and treatment groups of 30 patients each. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (p=.0016) in the incidence of POST 6 hours after surgery between control (25/30; 83%) and treatment (16/30; 53.33%) groups. However, confounders such as length and type of surgery (more females and tonsillectomy cases in the control group) were not fully eliminated by randomization. Conclusion: Perioperative levodropropizine significantly decreases the incidence of moderate (as well as mild) postoperative sore throat. It was not shown to decrease the incidence of severe sore throat. A larger cohort (adjusted for other confounders) may better describe the benefit of this treatment.