Assessment of endotracheal tube cuff pressure in reducing postoperative hoarseness of voice and sore throat after general anesthesia

Postoperative hoarseness of voice and sore throat are most common undesirable outcome at postoperative period. They are attributed to mucosal dehydration or edema, tracheal ischemia due to relatively high cuff pressure during endotracheal intubation. However, other demographic and perioperative factors could also have their own influence. Our study aimed to assess the cuff pressure with the incidence of postoperative hoarseness and sore throat.This experimental clinical trial included (60) consecutive adult patients undergoing elective surgery who required endotracheal intubation. The patients were divided into two equal groups according to cuff pressure: with low cuff pressure (25 cmH2O) and high cuff pressure (28 cmH2O). The incidence of postoperative hoarseness and sore throat during the first 24 to 72 hours post operation was recorded. The results showed that none of demographic or clinical factors of the patients had a significant effect on the incidence of hoarseness and sore throat. The overall incidence of hoarseness and sore throat was (16.67%) and (13.33%), respectively. Hoarseness and sore throat were more common in high pressure group (26.67% and 23.33%, respectively) than low pressure group (6.67% and 3.33%, respectively) with significant differences. It can be concluded from the current study that the high cuff pressure (28 cmH2O) was associated with increased incidence of postoperative hoarseness and sore throat.