Comparison of Pharyngolaryngeal Complications After Endotracheal Tube and Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion Following General Anaesthesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND Pharyngolaryngeal discomfort is a common cause of patient dissatisfaction after elective surgery. The difference in incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complications between endotracheal tube and Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) has popularised the use of the laryngeal mask airway. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective, randomised study included 60 patients of ASA class I and II of age 15 to 60 years undergoing elective minor surgeries. Postoperatively, interviews were performed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after anaesthesia. Post-anaesthetic sore throat and dysphagia were graded using a predefined verbal analogue scale. Voice analysis was done using computer software, Dr. Speech. RESULTS The incidence of sore throat at 6, 12 and 24 hours was significantly higher in ETT group than LMA. Dysphagia was more common in ETT at 6, 12 and 24 hours, but significant only at 6 hrs. There was significant difference in postoperative values of jitter, shimmer and HNR in ETT group when compared with preoperative values. Postoperative values of jitter and shimmer were significantly higher than preoperative values in LMA group. CONCLUSION Our study concludes that pharyngolaryngeal complaints occur more commonly with endotracheal tube than laryngeal mask airway.