[Evaluation of factors associated with postoperative sore throat].

BACKGROUND

Postoperative sore throat should be recognized seriously as an avoidable complication because of high incidence and dissatisfaction with anesthesia. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors of postoperative sore throats in patients undergoing general anesthesia.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 1,733 patients (above 18 years of age) who had undergone general anesthesia from January to December 2010 and who had visited Department of Anesthesia, postoperative anesthesia clinic.

RESULTS

Age, ASA classification, position, airway device, methods of postoperative pain management and site of surgery were significantly identified as the associated factors for postoperative sore throat using univariate analysis. Under 65 year of age (odds ratio 2.3), operation of head and neck and pharynx (odds ratio 1.6), spine surgeries (odds ratio 0.33), laryngeal mask (odds ratio 0.47), and postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA, odds ratio 0.4) were significantly identified as the factors with multivariate studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Six associated factors for postoperative sore throat were identified in this study.