The effects of topical chlorhexidine-benzydamine spray on laryngeal mask airway application

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use is very common during anesthesia practice. Sore throat, earache, hoarseness and swallowing difficulties may occur on LMA insertion. The primary aim of this study was to describe the effects of topical application of a spray formula of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride (Klorobene oral spray, 30 mL) on postoperative sore throat due to LMA use. The secondary aims were to evaluate earache, swallowing difficulty, nausea and vomiting and the hemodynamic responses due to LMA insertion and the incidence of coughing, tooth clenching, desaturation and laryngeal spasms during LMA removal. METHODS: After obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent (Ref no 29/15), a total of 100 adult patients were included. In Group C, four puffs of a spray formula of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride were applied to the nasopharyngeal area 15 min before surgery. In Group S, 0.9% saline was applied, using the same protocol. RESULTS: When both groups were compared, more patients in Group S had cough, sore throat and swallowing difficulties one hour after surgery (P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference at 6, 12, and 24 h between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and earaches was similar in both groups at all measurement times (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive topical benzydamine hydrochloride and chlorhexidine gluconate in a spray formula may decrease the incidence of sore throat, cough and swallowing difficulties associated with LMA use.