Relief from Post-Operative Sore Throat

Say Goodbye to Sore Throat After Surgery: Betamethasone Gel vs. Lidocaine

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how betamethasone gel can significantly reduce post-operative discomfort and improve your recovery."

Waking up with a scratchy, painful throat after surgery is a common and unpleasant experience. Post-operative sore throat (POST) can turn what should be a time of healing into a period of discomfort and frustration. While general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation are essential for many surgeries, they often leave patients dealing with this unwelcome side effect. But what if there was a way to minimize this discomfort and improve your recovery?

Traditional methods often involve using lidocaine to lubricate the endotracheal tube, aiming to ease its passage and reduce irritation. However, studies have shown mixed results, leaving many searching for a more reliable solution. Enter betamethasone gel, a long-acting steroid known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Could this be the answer to reducing POST and making your post-operative experience more comfortable?

This article explores a recent study comparing betamethasone gel, lidocaine jelly, and unlubricated tubes in reducing post-operative airway symptoms. We'll dive into the findings, explain the science behind why betamethasone gel might be more effective, and discuss what this means for patients undergoing surgery. Get ready to discover how this simple change could lead to a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

What Causes Post-Operative Sore Throat, and How Can We Combat It?

Post-operative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough are common complications following general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. These symptoms can increase post-operative morbidity and distress, with incidence rates varying widely. Studies report that post-operative sore throat (POST) can range from 20% to as high as 100%, hoarseness of voice (HOV) from 40-60%, and post-extubation cough (PEC) from 30-50%. These airway symptoms not only cause discomfort but can also lead to more severe issues such as hemodynamic instability and increased intracranial and intraocular pressures.

The primary mechanism behind these symptoms is the irritation and inflammation of the airway caused by the endotracheal tube. While various medications and non-pharmacological methods have been used to reduce these symptoms with varying success, the inconsistent results suggest multiple contributing factors, such as endotracheal tube size, cuff design, and duration of surgery. To address this, researchers have been exploring different lubrication methods to minimize airway irritation.

Lidocaine: Commonly used for airway anesthesia, lidocaine's effectiveness in reducing post-operative airway symptoms has shown variable results.
Steroids: Known for their anti-inflammatory properties, steroids like betamethasone gel are being investigated for their potential in treating inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa.
Betamethasone Gel: A long-acting water-soluble glucocorticoid, betamethasone gel can provide lubrication and anti-inflammatory effects when applied to the endotracheal tube.

A recent study aimed to compare the effectiveness of betamethasone gel and lidocaine jelly in reducing the incidence and severity of post-operative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough. The study also included a control group using unlubricated tubes to provide a baseline comparison. By examining these different approaches, the researchers hoped to identify a more effective method for minimizing airway symptoms and improving patient comfort.

The Future of Post-Operative Care

The findings suggest that betamethasone gel could be a valuable tool for reducing post-operative sore throat, especially in patients at high risk for airway complications. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects on hoarseness and cough, the evidence supports its use as a simple, cost-effective way to improve patient comfort and recovery. As healthcare continues to evolve, incorporating such proactive measures can lead to better outcomes and a more positive experience for those undergoing surgery.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s13104-017-2694-6, Alternate LINK

Title: Betamethasone Gel Compared With Lidocaine Jelly To Reduce Tracheal Tube Related Postoperative Airway Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Subject: General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Journal: BMC Research Notes

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Parineeta Thapa, Ravi Ram Shrestha, Sangeeta Shrestha, Gautam Ratna Bajracharya

Published: 2017-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is post-operative sore throat (POST), and why is it a concern after surgery?

Post-operative sore throat (POST) is a common and unpleasant side effect experienced after surgeries involving general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The endotracheal tube, essential for maintaining the airway during surgery, can irritate and inflame the airway, leading to POST. This can manifest as a scratchy, painful throat, hoarseness of voice, and cough. Beyond discomfort, POST can lead to issues like hemodynamic instability and increased intracranial and intraocular pressures, highlighting the need for effective treatments.

How does betamethasone gel work to reduce post-operative sore throat, and how does it compare to lidocaine?

Betamethasone gel, a long-acting steroid, works by leveraging its anti-inflammatory properties. It's applied to the endotracheal tube to lubricate it and reduce irritation, thus minimizing the inflammation that causes POST. In contrast, lidocaine is also used for lubrication, but studies have shown inconsistent results regarding its effectiveness. The key advantage of betamethasone gel is its ability to not only lubricate but also actively reduce inflammation, potentially offering a more reliable solution for minimizing airway symptoms compared to lidocaine.

What were the key findings of the study comparing betamethasone gel, lidocaine jelly, and unlubricated tubes?

The recent study aimed to compare the effectiveness of betamethasone gel, lidocaine jelly, and unlubricated tubes in reducing post-operative airway symptoms. While the specific findings aren't detailed in the text, the study's design and purpose were to identify a more effective method for minimizing post-operative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough. The inclusion of a control group with unlubricated tubes provided a baseline for comparison, allowing researchers to assess the relative effectiveness of both betamethasone gel and lidocaine jelly.

Besides betamethasone gel, what other methods or factors contribute to post-operative airway symptoms like sore throat?

Besides the choice of lubrication, several factors can contribute to post-operative airway symptoms. The primary mechanism is the irritation and inflammation caused by the endotracheal tube itself. Other contributing factors include the size and cuff design of the endotracheal tube, and the duration of the surgery. The text mentions that various medications and non-pharmacological methods have been explored to reduce symptoms, but with varying success, suggesting that multiple variables are at play.

What does the future of post-operative care look like, and how could betamethasone gel fit into this?

The future of post-operative care is focused on incorporating proactive measures to improve patient outcomes and the overall surgical experience. Betamethasone gel could play a valuable role, especially for patients at high risk for airway complications. Its potential to reduce post-operative sore throat makes it a simple, cost-effective way to enhance patient comfort and recovery. Further research could explore its effects on other symptoms like hoarseness and cough, with the aim of providing a more positive and efficient surgical experience.