Comparative Study of Nebulised Dexmedetomidine Versus Nebulised Clonidine for Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Introduction Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication of endotracheal intubation. This study aims to compare the effect of ultrasonic nebulisation with dexmedetomidine versus clonidine on POST in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. Methods This prospective, observational, comparative cohort study was initiated after obtaining institutional ethics committee approval and registration with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI). In one group, 40 patients were ultrasonically nebulised with dexmedetomidine 50 mcg in 4 mL of saline, whereas in another group, 38 patients were ultrasonically nebulised with clonidine 100 mcg in 4 mL of saline. The primary outcome was to compare the efficacy of nebulised dexmedetomidine and clonidine in relieving POST, whereas the secondary outcome was to compare the effect of nebulised dexmedetomidine and clonidine on the haemodynamic parameters at defined time points. Results The demographic data of the study were comparable. The incidence of sore throat was less in the patients nebulised with dexmedetomidine compared to clonidine, which was more evident at six hours (p < 0.001), 12 hours (p < 0.001) and 24 hours after surgery (p = 0.027). The overall change in heart rate over time was comparable in the two groups. The overall change in mean arterial pressure over time was comparable in the two groups except at the time of intubation, when it was statistically significant (p = 0.032). Conclusion The study's findings suggest that nebulisation with dexmedetomidine resulted in a lower incidence and less severe sore throat in postoperative patients compared to nebulisation with clonidine in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia.