Effects of the Neuromuscular Relaxants on the Incidence of Sore Throat and Hoarseness

Abstract

In this study, 268 adult patients given neuromuscular relaxants in 3 groups were investigated in respect to the incidence of sore throat and hoarseness. To provide surgical relaxation and facilitate intubation, depolarizing (165 patients), nondepolarizing (priming) + depolarizing (46 patients) or nondepolarizing (57 cases) relaxant was used. Fasciculations were evaluated by observation, and sore throat and hoarseness by questioning 24 h postoperatively. Fortythree % of the patients had sore throat, 22% had hoarseness. Incidence of sore throat was significantly higher in patients given depolarizing drug than nondepolarizing (48% against 31% p _ 0.001). But the differences between priming (38%) and depolarizing (48%) or non-depolarizing (31%) groups did not reach the level of significance (p ~ 0.05). Fasciculations were observed in 83% in depolarizing group, 46% of which had sore throat and 21% hoarseness. The patients with no fasciculations had 39% sore throat, 22% hoarseness. Difference was not significant (p ~ 0.05). It was concluded that since the incidence of sore throat was higher with depolarizing relaxant, priming or using nondepolarizing drug should be the method of choice for intubation.