Sore throat in women after intubation with 6.5 or 7.0mm endotracheal tube: A quantitative study

Summary Background Women experience more sore throats than men after endotracheal intubation. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of self-rated sore throat immediately, and 2–4 hours postoperatively, in women after elective gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia using an endotracheal tube (ETT) size 6.5 or 7.0 mm in inner diameter. Method Eighty-two female participants who had undergone elective gynaecological surgery participated, 44 and 38 were intubated with size 6.5 mm ETT and 7.0 mm ETT respectively. They estimated the occurrence of sore throat preoperatively and postoperatively, according to a 4-point Likert scale. Statistical data were analysed using the Package for Social Science (SPSS) 19. Results Sore throat was present in 29.5% of participants who were intubated with size 6.5 mm ETT immediately postoperatively and in 39.5% of those who were intubated with size 7.0 mm ETT. Conclusion Nurses specialising in the supervision of daily care specific to the intubated patient should note and alleviate sore throat as part of their nursing care.