Data were collected by structured questionnaires from parents and children who had undergone surgery under general anesthesia. The information regarding the study was explained to both study participants and their parents before surgery. Information about the study’s benefit, harm, and objective of the study prepared in English and translated into Amharic was explained to the study participants and their parents. Two trained data collectors and one supervisor were involved in the data collection process.
Preoperatively pre-anesthetic evaluation information regarding any history of URTI, type of surgery, investigations, history of POST, and any pertinent physical examination were recorded. Written informed consent was obtained just before anesthesia from the study participant’s family. Intraoperatively airway technique used, type of airway material used, number of attempts, any difficulty during airway instrumentation, and any bleeding on airway equipment on extubation were recorded. Any intraoperative airway incidents such as accidental extubation and reintubation were recorded. Postoperatively duration of surgery and anesthesia, any incident during extubation such as coughing, laryngospasm, vomiting, and stridor were recorded. After the patient was discharged from Operation Theater; the presence or absence of POST was assessed by the data collector with yes or no questions. Children who documented suffering from a sore throat at any point since waking up went on to complete a more detailed questionnaire regarding the severity of POST. The severity of postoperative sore throat was assessed by a four-point categorical pain scale, where 0 = for no sore throat; 1 = mild (complains of sore throat only after asking); 2 = moderate (complains of sore throat on his/her own); 3 = severe (change of voice associated with throat pain).10 (link),20 ,21 (link)
Preoperatively pre-anesthetic evaluation information regarding any history of URTI, type of surgery, investigations, history of POST, and any pertinent physical examination were recorded. Written informed consent was obtained just before anesthesia from the study participant’s family. Intraoperatively airway technique used, type of airway material used, number of attempts, any difficulty during airway instrumentation, and any bleeding on airway equipment on extubation were recorded. Any intraoperative airway incidents such as accidental extubation and reintubation were recorded. Postoperatively duration of surgery and anesthesia, any incident during extubation such as coughing, laryngospasm, vomiting, and stridor were recorded. After the patient was discharged from Operation Theater; the presence or absence of POST was assessed by the data collector with yes or no questions. Children who documented suffering from a sore throat at any point since waking up went on to complete a more detailed questionnaire regarding the severity of POST. The severity of postoperative sore throat was assessed by a four-point categorical pain scale, where 0 = for no sore throat; 1 = mild (complains of sore throat only after asking); 2 = moderate (complains of sore throat on his/her own); 3 = severe (change of voice associated with throat pain).10 (link),20 ,21 (link)
