Effectiveness of Lubrication of Endotracheal Tube Cuff with Chamomile-Extract for Prevention of Postoperative Sore Throat and Hoarseness
Somrat Charuluxananan MD, MSc, FRCAT*, Pradthana Sumethawattana MD**, Rungrat Kosawiboonpol MD**, Wanna Somboonviboon MD, FRCAT**, Thewarug Werawataganon MD, MSc, FRCAT*
Affiliation : * Department of Anesthesiology and Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University ** Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Purpose of the study : To determine the efficacy of lubrication of the endotracheal tube cuff with Chamomile extract
(Kamillosan®M) before intubation on postoperative sore throat and hoarseness.
Materials and Methods : The authors randomly assigned 161 patients ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical
status I, II elective surgical, orthopedic, gynecological or urological into 2 groups. The study group received 10 puffs of
total 370 mg of Chamomile extract (Kamillosan®M spray) lubricated at cuff of endotracheal tube while the control group
did not receive any lubrication before intubation. Standard general anesthesia with tracheal intubation was given in both
groups. Sore throat and hoarseness were recorded in post anesthetic care unit and at 24 h after operation.
Results : One hundred and sixty-one ASA physical status I, II elective surgical patients were recruited. Forty one out of 81
patients (50.6%) in the Chamomile group, scored no postoperative sore throat in the post-anesthesia care unit compared
with 45 out of 80 patients (56.3%) in the control group p=0.386. Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness both in the
postanesthesia care unit and at 24 h postoperation were not statistically different. There was no statistically significant
relationship between sore throat or hoarseness and postoperative nausea or vomiting, ASA physical status, gender, history
of smoking, grade of laryngoscopic view, number of intubation attempts, condition during intubation, use of oral airway
and couching during extubation.
Conclusion : Lubrication of endotracheal tube cuff with Chamomile extract spray before intubation can not prevent post
operative sore throat and hoarseness.
Keywords : Sore throat, Hoarseness, Chamomile, Lubrication, Tracheal intubation
