Effect of Postoperative High-Concentration Oxygen on Recovery After Thyroid Surgery: A Prospective, Open, Randomized, Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of high-concentration oxygen on the improvement of throat symptoms and voice changes after thyroid surgery and its protection of the parathyroid function. METHODS: A total of 600 patients undergoing thyroid surgery who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 300) and the control group (n = 300) by using a random number generator. The patients in the experimental group underwent high-oxygen treatment [FiO(2)80 (8 L/min)] for 6 continuous hours after returning to the ward after surgery. The patients in the control group underwent low-oxygen treatment [FiO(2)30 (2 L/min)] for 6 continuous hours after returning to the ward after surgery. RESULTS: The postoperative incision pain score of patients in the experimental group was significantly better than that in the control group at 6 h (1.07 ± 0.80 VS 1.23 ± 0.95, P=0.031) and 12 h (1.08 ± 0.64 VS 1.20 ± 0.73, P=0.041). The postoperative throat pain score of the patients in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group at 6 h (1.40 ± 0.85 VS 1.59 ± 0.97, P=0.011) and 12 h (1.40 ± 0.85 VS 1.59 ± 0.97, P=0.019). The PONV score of the patients in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group at 12 h (0.09 ± 0.19 VS 0.14 ± 0.37, P=0.024). The Voice Handicap Index score of the patients in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group at 24 h (2.89 ± 5.92 VS 4.10 ± 6.31, P=0.017), 36 h (2.46 ± 5.06 VS 3.43 ± 5.97, P=0.035), and 48 h (2.46 ± 5.06 VS 3.43 ± 5.97, P=0.032). CONCLUSION: High-concentration oxygen can alleviate PONV and pain after thyroid surgery, with less severe voice changes potentially. However, its effects on swallowing function, and parathyroid function need to be further verified. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-IOR-17012765 (China Clinical Trial Registry clinical trial registration center [http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx)