The Effect of Preoperative Chewing Gum on Anxiety and Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients Using a Laryngeal Mask Airway: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative chewing gum on anxiety levels and postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing breast surgery using a laryngeal mask airway.

Method

This study was conducted in the Anaesthesia and Reanimation Department of a training and research hospital. Patients in the intervention group (n = 46) were instructed to chew gum for 2 min during the preoperative period, whereas the control group (n = 47) received standard nursing care. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale during premedication and immediately before surgery. Post-extubation, the severity of sore throat was measured via the Visual Analogue Scale, whereas the presence of cough and hoarseness was recorded.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative sore throat and cough at the second, fourth and sixth hours (p > 0.05). However, at the second postoperative hour, the incidence of hoarseness was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.004). There was no difference between the groups in terms of hoarseness at the fourth and sixth hours after surgery (p > 0.05). Immediately before surgery, the control group exhibited significantly higher total Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale scores (p = 0.047) and anxiety subscale scores (p = 0.023). There was no significant difference between groups in the information requirement subscale (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Preoperative chewing gum effectively reduces anxiety levels before breast surgery. Although it does not significantly alleviate postoperative sore throat, it appears to reduce hoarseness 2 h post-extubation. As a simple and non-pharmacological intervention, chewing gum is recommended for managing preoperative anxiety. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06168981.