Efficacy of lidocaine via trachospray in postoperative sore throat and hemodynamic response to intubation: a randomized controlled trial

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following endotracheal intubation after general anesthesia. This study aimed to examine the effect of administering lidocaine via the Trachospray device on POST severity and to assess its impact on hemodynamic responses (heart rate and blood pressure) during tracheal intubation. In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted, approved by the local ethics committee and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. 100 patients aged 18–65 undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and classified as ASA I-III were randomly divided into two groups. Group T received 10% lidocaine through Trachospray before intubation, while Group S was given distilled water. POST severity was evaluated at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. POST was evaluated on a 4-point scale, with scores of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). Group T showed significantly lower POST severity and incidence at all time points compared to Group S (p = 0.001; p < 0.05). Additionally, hemodynamic responses (heart rate and blood pressure) were significantly lower in Group T following intubation (heart rate, p = 0.015; systolic blood pressure, p = 0.006; diastolic blood pressure, p = 0.010). The use of 10% lidocaine via Trachospray before endotracheal intubation effectively decreases POST severity and incidence as well as the hemodynamic response to intubation, highlighting its potential to improve patient outcomes in the postoperative period.