Correlation between extraction force during tracheal intubation stylet removal and postoperative sore throat

• We investigated risk factors for postoperative sore throat after tracheal extubation with using novelty measurement.
• Postoperative sore throat was significantly related to increased extraction force during stylet removal.
• Especially, extraction force during stylet removal > 10.3 N correlated postoperative sore throat.

Study ObjectiveTo examine postoperative sore throat resulting from tracheal intubation stylet removal.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingOperating rooms and hospital ward.PatientsA total of 50 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2 patients who underwent elective abdominal and/or orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia.InterventionsPatients were allocated to 2 groups: those who developed sore throat postoperatively (ST group) and those who did not (NST group). Comparative analysis of these 2 groups was performed to identify risk factors of the development of sore throat.MeasurementsThe extraction force during stylet removal was measured using a force measuring device. Postoperative sore throat was assessed by an anesthesiologist.Main ResultsNine patients (18%) complained of postoperative sore throat. Increased extraction force (P = .0054; odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.84) was the only significant risk factor for the development of postoperative sore throat. An extraction force of > 10.3 N was determined as a cutoff for developing postoperative sore throat.ConclusionPostoperative sore throat was significantly related to increased extraction force during stylet removal.

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