Preoperative oral zinc tablet decreases incidence of postoperative sore throat

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is very frequently reported after endotracheal intubation. Zinc lozenge has been shown to reduce POST. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dispersible zinc tablet on POST. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients undergoing surgery with endotracheal intubation were randomly allocated into two groups, to either receive dispersible zinc tablet 40 mg (zinc group) or placebo tablet (control group), 30 min preoperatively. Assessment for incidence and severity was performed for POST, on a 4-point scale (0–3) at 0, 30 min, 2, 4, and 24 h postoperatively. The primary outcome was incidence of POST at 4 h postoperatively. Secondary outcome was severity of POST at the 5 evaluation time points postoperatively. Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher's exact, and Chi-square test were used as applicable. RESULTS: At 4 h, there was a significantly lower incidence of POST in zinc group (6.8%) than the control group (31.8%) with a P value of 0.003. Three patients in placebo group complained of severe POST compared to none in the zinc group. The severity of POST was significantly lower in Zinc group than Placebo group at 0 min (P = 0.003), 30 min (P = 0.002), 2 h (P < 0.001), and 4 h (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of 40 mg dispersible zinc tablet effectively reduces the incidence and severity of POST in the immediate postoperative period.