Postoperative Sore Throat: Incidence, Risk Factors,
and Outcome
Annop Piriyapatsom MD*,
Sukanya Dej-Arkom MD*, Thitima Chinachoti MD*,
Jarunee Rakkarnngan MD*, Pensiri Srishewachart MD*
Affiliation :
* Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Postoperative sore throat (POST) has been one of the most common complaints after anesthesia. In Siriraj
Hospital, a high volume of general anesthesia is performed annually, but there was limited data regarding this complaint.
Objective : To describe the incidence of POST and to determine risk factors associated with the occurrence of POST.
Material and Method: Three hundred eighty seven patients were prospectively studied. Demographic data, airway
management, and intra-operative data were recorded. Sore throat occurrence and its intensity at postoperative 24 hours
as well as patient satisfaction were assessed.
Results : The overall incidence of POST was 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.9-40.7%) with the mean intensity
of 29.821.2. Operation of the neck was found to be an independent risk factor of 24-hour POST (odds ration [OR] 3.43,
95% confidence interval [CI] 1.88-6.25, p<0.001), whereas in gynecological surgery the occurrence was significantly
attenuated (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p = 0.035).
Conclusion : POST was common after general anesthesia. Careful airway management might be the key to prevent this
occurrence and to improve the quality of anesthetic care.
Keywords : Anesthesia, Postoperative sore throat, Risk factors, Satisfaction
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