Nebulized magnesium sulfate reduces postoperative sore throat following general anesthesia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis
Abstract
Post-operative sore throat (POST) frequently complicates general anesthesia involving endotracheal intubation, affecting roughly 60% of individuals and markedly hindering postoperative recovery. The current systematic review and meta-analysis assessed both the safety profile and prophylactic efficacy of preoperative magnesium sulfate administered via nebulization against POST. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing preoperative nebulized magnesium sulfate with placebo or normal saline for POST prevention in adults undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia was conducted. The primary outcome was POST incidence at 24 h. Secondary outcomes included POST at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h, hoarseness, cough, and hemodynamic adverse events. PROSPERO registration: CRD420261308633. Twelve RCTs comprising 1,023 patients were included. Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate significantly reduced POST at 24 h compared to control (RR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14–0.42; p < 0.00001; I² = 62%). Sensitivity analysis excluding an outlier reduced heterogeneity (I² = 7%) while maintaining significance. Significant reductions were also observed at 2 h (RR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.32–0.58), 4 h (RR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19–0.77), and 12 h (RR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14–0.79). Subgroup analysis demonstrated comparable efficacy between the 225 mg dose and higher doses, with no statistically significant difference observed. No significant reduction was observed for hoarseness (RR = 0.44;…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,023 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Bioactive Molecules Released in Food by Lactic Acid Bacteria: Encrypted Peptides and Biogenic Amines
- A central role for amyloid fibrin microclots in long COVID/PASC: origins and therapeutic implications
- Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic compounds
- The Glutamate Hypothesis in ALS: Pathophysiology and Drug Development
- Therapeutic Approaches to Genetic Ion Channelopathies and Perspectives in Drug Discovery
- Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome Concerning the Cardiometabolic Risk
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.