Beclomethasone prevents postoperative sore throat

Abstract

The effects of a dose of beclomethasone inhaler (50 micrograms) or lidocaine 10% spray on postoperative sore throat were studied in 120 patients undergoing tracheal intubation for elective surgical procedures. Fifty-four patients (90%) in the beclomethasone group scored no postoperative sore throat compared with 27 (45%) in the lidocaine group (P < 0.001). Beclomethasone inhaler seems to be highly effective in the prevention of postoperative sore throat and is therefore to be recommended before tracheal intubation for general anaesthesia.