Masoomeh Tabari - Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Ghasem Soltani - Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Nahid Zirak - Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad Alipour - Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Kamran Khazaeni - Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: Postoperative sore throat is a common complaint in patients with endotracheal intubation and has potentially dangerous complications. This randomized controlled trial study investigated the incidence of postoperative sore throat after general anesthesia when betamethasone gel is applied to a tracheal tube compared with when IV dexamethasone is prescribed.   Materials and Methods: Two hundred and twenty five American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA)-class I and II patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with tracheal intubation were randomly divided into three groups: betamethasone gel, intravenous (IV) dexamethasone, and control groups. In the post-anesthesia care unit, a blinded anesthesiologist interviewed all patients regarding postoperative sore throat at ۱,۶, and ۲۴ hours after surgery.   Results: The incidence of sore throat was significantly lower in the betamethasone gel group compared with the IV dexamethasone and control groups, ۱, ۶, and ۲۴ hours after surgery. In the first day after surgery ۱۰.۷% of the betamethasone group had sore throat whereas ۲۶.۷% of the IV dexamethasone group and ۳۰.۷% of the control group had sore throat. Bucking before extubation was observed in ۱۴(۱۸.۴%), ۸(۱۰.۴%), and ۹(۱۲.۲%) patients, in the IV dexamethasone, betamethasone gel, and control group, respectively.   Conclusion:  We concluded that wide spread application of betamethasone gel over tracheal tubes effectively mitigates postoperative sore throat, compared with IV dexamethasone application.

Betamethasone, Dexamethasone, Pharyngitis, Surgical procedures complications, Tracheal intubation