Effect of tramadol gargle on postoperative sore throat: A double blinded randomized placebo controlled study

Background
Postoperative sore throat is an undesirable complaint after general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway. Tramadol is a synthetic codeine analogue with NMDA receptor antagonist and local anesthetic effects. We compared tramadol gargle to placebo given 5 min before surgery on attenuating postoperative sore throat for 24 postoperative hours.
Method
In a prospective randomized double blind study, fifty patients of ASA I and II, undergoing elective moderate urological surgery under general anesthesia using laryngeal mask airway were allocated into two groups (25 patients each); all patients were asked to gargle for 1 min with 30 ml apple juice containing tramadol 2 mg/kg in group (T), and nothing in group (P) 5 min before surgery. The incidence and the severity of postoperative sore throat were graded at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery using a four-point scale.
Result
Incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat were significantly less in tramadol treated group compared to placebo group at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h ( < 0.05).
Conclusion
Preoperative gargling with tramadol reduced the incidence and severity of POST compared to placebo group in patients undergoing elective moderate urological surgery, during general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway for up to 24 h postoperatively.