Evaluation of the Efficacy of Turmeric-Based Lozenges for the Prevention of Postoperative Sore Throat in Surgeries Done Under Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion.

CONTEXT: Sore throat is a common complaint to both laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion and endotracheal tube intubation. Its incidence in LMA has been found to vary between 5.8% and 34%. Administration of medicated lozenges in the preoperative period is also a route available for the prevention of postoperative sore throat (POST).

AIM: The aim of this double-blinded randomized controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric-based lozenges given preoperatively in patients undergoing general anesthesia (GA) under LMA insertion for the prevention of POST.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Swami Rama Nagar, Dehradun, over a period of 12 months.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I and II posted for elective surgeries under GA with insertion of LMA were included in our study. Randomization was done by the sealed envelope technique. Turmeric extract with menthol and eucalyptus oil lozenges was given in Group A ( n = 125), while plain turmeric extract with orange flavor lozenges was given in Group B ( n = 125) 30 min preoperatively. The patients were assessed for POST in the recovery room post-LMA removal at 30 min, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t -test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The turmeric lozenges containing 6.4 mg eucalyptus oil and 6.3 mg menthol oil along with turmeric extract 100 mg significantly reduced the incidence of POST across all time intervals ( P < 0.05) as compared to orange-flavored plain turmeric lozenges containing turmeric extract 100 mg.

CONCLUSIONS: POST was reduced with preoperatively administered eucalyptus oil and menthol oil containing turmeric lozenges.