Effect of Eucalyptus Vapor on Hoarseness and Sore Throat Following Intubation after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background and purpose: Sore throat and hoarseness are some postoperative complications following endotracheal intubation and inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of eucalyptus vapor on sore throat and hoarseness after tracheal extubation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Materials and methods: In a clinical trial, 100 patients undergoing CABG were selected using convenience sampling. They were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental). Demographic and clinical data, and the information on sore throat and hoarseness were recorded in both groups, before the intervention and after tracheal extubation. The patients in experimental group were exposed to eucalyptus vapor for about ten minutes after tracheal extubation. This was performed at 1 and 12 hours after extubation. The severity of sore throat and hoarseness was recorded in the two groups at 0, 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours after extubation. Results: The severity of hoarseness in case group showed no significant difference at the times of immediate to 24 hours after extubation. But, the severity of sore throat significantly reduced at 6 and 12 hours after extubation (P= 0.02 and P= 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: The eucalyptus vapor in this study could not significantly decrease the severity of hoarseness, but reduced the sore throat.