Betamethasone Versus Ketamine for Attenuation of POST in Patients Undergoing Surgeries Under GA with Endotracheal Intubation- A Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Postoperative sore throat is one of the most common complications after endotracheal intubation. The present study was conducted to assess the role of betamethasone gel applied over the endotracheal tube cuff for attenuation of POST in patients undergoing surgeries under GA with endotracheal intubation and compare it with ketamine nebulization. Subjects and Methods : This is a randomized controlled prospective study conducted in 90 patients of either sex between 18-70 years of age divided into three groups. Group I patients received ketamine 50 mg, group II received 3 ml of water soluble 0.05% betamethasone gel, group III received 3 ml of water soluble 2% lignocaine. POST was graded on a four-point scale (0–3); 0 = no sore throat; 1 = mild sore throat (complains of sore throat only on questioning); 2 = moderate sore throat (complains of sore throat on his/her own); 3 = severe sore throat (change of voice or hoarseness, associated with severe throat pain). Results: The mean duration of surgery in group I was 128.5 minutes, in group II was 131 minutes and in group III was 134.5 minutes. There were 6 (20%), 7 (23.3) and 14 (46.6%) cases in group I, II and III respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). At 0 hour there were 3 cases in group I, II and 10 in group III, at 2 hours was 3, 5 and 12 in group I, II and III respectively, at 6 hours was 5,4 and 14 cases in group I, II and III respectively, at 12 hours was 3, 3 and 12 cases in group I, II and III respectively and at 24 hours was 2, 2 and 12 cases in group I, II and III respectively. Conclusion: Authors found that POST can be equally managed with nebulisation with ketamine preoperatively and application of betamethasone gel over endotracheal tube cuff.