Effect of clonidine premedication on postoperative sore throat and hoarseness after total intravenous anesthesia

To determine the effect of oral clonidine premedication on postoperative sore throat and hoarseness, we evaluated the incidence and severity of each of these complications in patients who underwent elective surgery in the supine position. The subjects were 82 patients, American Society of Anesthiologists (ASA) status I-III, aged 15-82 years. They were premedicated with either 150 microg oral clonidine and 20 mg raftidine (clonidine group; n = 41) or with 20 mg raftidine only (control group; n = 41) 2 h before anesthesia induction. General anesthesia was maintained with propofol, ketamine, fentanyl, and vecuronium, with or without epidural anesthesia. Postoperative sore throat and hoarseness were evaluated immediately after surgery and on the day after surgery. The incidences of sore throat and hoarseness tended to be higher in the clonidine group than in the control group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the severity of these symptoms between the two groups. In conclusion, oral premedication with 150 microg clonidine did not prevent postoperative sore throat or hoarseness, and may have exacerbated these symptoms.