Intracuff alkalinized lidocaine and the incidence of cough and postoperative sore throat after anesthesia in children: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Uncuffed tracheal tubes (TT) have historically been used in children under 8 years for fear of airway mucosal injury. Cuffed tubes are however useful for several surgeries and have been showed suitable. Objective: To study the effect of intracuff alkalinized lidocaine (2%) in reducing airway morbidity compared to intracuff air in children. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, July 2016 and July 2017 and involved 100 ASA I & II patients randomly divided into two groups. All cases were done under general anesthesia lasting less than 60 min. In fifty patients, air was used to inflate the TT cuff and in the remaining patients, alkalinized lidocaine (2%) 2 ml was used. The cuff pressure was maintained between 20 and 22 mmHg. Postoperative airway morbidities were compared between the two groups. The data obtained was analysed using Prism 6 statistical software. Results: The study showed a significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative sore throat and cough in the Lidocaine group compared to the Air group. Conclusions: Intracuff alkalinized lidocaine is effective in reducing postoperative sore throat and cough related to the use of cuffed TT in children.