Reducing Postoperative Sore Throat with Magnesium Lozenges

What is Postoperative Sore Throat?

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is an unpleasant feeling that some people get after oral tracheal intubation, which is the placing of a plastic tube into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth. Most probably POST is caused by irritation and inflammation of the airway. Although the symptoms become better without any treatment, doctors still advise people to try to prevent POST for the patient’s satisfaction and facilitate the return to normal activities after discharge from the hospital.

Can Magnesium Help in the Relief of Postoperative Sore Throat?

Magnesium is a chemical that may help to reduce pain due to its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive (capability to diminish pain by blocking its sensation by the nerves) properties. Substantial evidence suggests that magnesium therapy given intravenously (through a vein) can help decrease postoperative pain and the need for pain medication. However, there has been no research on whether taking magnesium orally (by mouth), in the form of a lozenge, can also help reduce postoperative pain.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that taking a magnesium lozenge before surgery would reduce POST caused by oral tracheal intubation in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery of lower extremities.

The Study on Magnesium Lozenges for Patients Undergoing Surgery

70 patients about to undergo orthopedic surgery of lower extremities were randomly and equally assigned into two groups to receive 610 milligrams of either the sucrose-containing placebo or Magnesium-Diasporal lozenges to be dissolved by sucking 30 minutes before the operation.

At 0, 2, 4, and 24 hours after the procedure, patients were asked if they experienced any degree of pain in the throat. The severity of POST was graded on a four-point scale (0–3) as follows: 0, no sore throat; 1, mild sore throat (complained of sore throat only upon inquiry); 2, moderate sore throat (complained of sore throat on their own); and 3, severe sore throat (change of voice or hoarseness, associated with throat pain). Side effects, like gastric irritation, diarrhea, and nausea, were also noted during the POST evaluation.

The Results

No side effects were observed. The incidence of POST at 4 hours was higher in the placebo group than in the magnesium group. The severity of POST was significantly lower in the magnesium group.

The Conclusion

The administration of magnesium lozenge 30 minutes before the surgery effectively reduces both the incidence and severity of POST in the immediate postoperative period.

Reference

Oral Magnesium Lozenge Reduces Postoperative Sore Throat: A Randomized, Prospective, Placebo-controlled Study