The Effectiveness of Intracuff Dexmedetomidine in Preventing Postoperative Sore Throat Following Prone Surgery

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common consequence of tracheal intubation, affecting 30% to 65% of patients, while hoarseness occurs in approximately 16% to 55% of cases. POST is undesirable as it negatively impacts the surgical experience, patient satisfaction, and daily activities even after discharge. It can result from factors such as vocal cord damage, nerve compression, blood loss, and injury to mucosal cells due to airway secretions and prolonged anesthesia. Recent studies have identified several contributors to POST, including the shape and size of the tracheal tube, cuff pressure, duration of tube placement, and the use of inhalation anesthesia. Changing a patient's position from supine to prone can affect the cuff pressure and displacement of the endotracheal tube (ETT), which may influence the incidence of POST, hoarseness, and cough. Improper positioning can also strain neck muscles, putting pressure on the vocal cords and leading to hoarseness. To reduce POST incidence, selecting the appropriate tracheal tube size is crucial, with recommended sizes of 6.0 to 7.5 mm for females and 7.0 to 8.0 mm for males. Maintaining cuff pressure between 20-25 mmHg is associated with a lower incidence of POST, as excessive pressure can cause mucosal trauma. Additional strategies include using video laryngoscopy for intubation, administering topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and using steroids during surgery. Recent research is exploring the effectiveness of intracuff saline and lignocaine for preventing coughing and POST. Increasing the alkalinity of local anesthetics with sodium bicarbonate can enhance their efficacy, improving diffusion through the ETT cuff. Dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist, has shown promise in reducing cough rates and postoperative pain. Notably, a single dose of gargled dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) has demonstrated effects comparable to intravenous administration, and intratracheal dexmedetomidine