Zinc Lozenges and Their Effect on Postoperative Sore Throat Syndrome
Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Sore Throat, Post-Operative Sore Throat
In brief
The objective of this study is to assess the effect of preoperative administration of oral zinc lozenges on the incidence of postoperative sore throat syndrome. When patients undergo surgery with general anesthesia, they require ventilation of their lungs with the help of a flexible tube (called an endotracheal tube) that is placed through the mouth, passing the vocal cords, and into the windpipe (trachea). This tube helps oxygenate the patient, delivers anesthetic gas to the lungs, and keeps the airways open to prevent asphyxiation. The procedure is invasive and uncomfortable, and one of the most common consequences is a sore and inflamed throat after the tube is taken out. This is termed postoperative sore throat (POST). Though the intensity and severity of sore throat varies from person to person, the reported incidence is as high as 90% of patients undergoing general anesthesia. Zinc therapy has been shown in multiple studies to reduce the severity and duration of cold symptoms, and also to up-regulate the immune system. Recent studies have shown that zinc can act as an anti-inflammatory agent and can maintain the integrity of skin and mucosal membranes (which cover the inside of the mouth and throat). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of giving zinc lozenges before tube placement on postoperative sore throat. After written informed consent is received in pre-op, a sealed and coded envelope with either the zinc lozenge or the placebo lozenge will be given to the patient to be administered orally, with the instruction to dissolve the lozenge by sucking on it 30 minutes prior to surgery. Upon completion of surgery and emergence from general anesthesia, the patient will be extubated and transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Once in the PACU, the patient will be assessed regarding the incidence and severity of POST by the study investigator using a standardized scale. The severity of POST will be graded on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3; 0 being no sore throat, 1 being mild discomfort (complains only upon questioning), 2 being moderate sore throat (complains on his/her own), and 3 being severe sore throat (change in voice, hoarseness, and throat pain). This evaluation will be performed at 30 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 24 hours post-surgery, with the assessment at 4 hours being the primary outcome of the study.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT02405832
- Run by
- University of Vermont
- People needed
- 87
- Starts
- 2015-03-10
- Expected to finish
- 2015-04-04
- Last updated by the study team
- 2018-08-10
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Men and women ages 18 and older
- American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system I and II (healthy patient or patient with mild systemic disease)
- Patient coming for elective surgery (except head and neck) requiring general anesthesia
- Patients staying for at least 24 hours postoperatively
- Patients provide informed consent
- Patients presenting for surgery >1 hour in length and <6 hours.
You may not qualify if…
- History of preoperative sore throat, common colds, upper respiratory infections, immune deficiencies
- Chronic smokers
- Patients with Mallampati airway grade of more than 2
- Patients requiring more than one attempt for intubation or traumatic intubations
- Patients requiring laryngeal mask Airway (LMA) placement
- Patients allergic to zinc
- Patients requiring quinolones or tetracycline antibiotics pre- or intraoperatively
- Patients undergoing head and neck surgeries
- Pregnancy
Where it is running
- University of Vermont Medical Center — Burlington, Vermont, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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