Non-pharmacological Methods in the Management of Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients Undergoing Endotracheal Intubation: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine and compare non-pharmacologic methods for the management of postoperative sore throat in adult patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. This study used a systematic review of clinical trials. Articles published between 2010 and 2022 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EBSCOHost databases were included. The review was organized according to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewsand Meta-Analyses. A total of 857 articles were retrieved in the initial search. After reviewing the articles according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a final set of seven articles was evaluated. It was observed that ASA I-II patients in whom elective surgery was planned were mostly included in the studies. It was determined that cold vapor, ice cube, licorice gargle, luo han guo (Monk fruit) herbal tea and tube warming were used as non-pharmacological methods. Interventions were performed preoperatively in five of the studies and postoperatively in two. Numeric pain scale was frequently used to assess sore throat. Patients’ sore throat was most commonly evaluated in the second, fourth and 24th hours after extubation. Cold vapor, licorice gargle, luo han guo herbal tea and tube warming were found to be effective in reducing sore throat. Several reliable non-pharmacological methods are available for managing a sore throat in patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. However, more research is needed to determine the most effective non-pharmacological approach.

Keywords

• intubation
• surgical patient
• sore throat
• nonpharmacologic methods