Work

Effect of ultrasound-guided thyroid cartilage plane block on postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing vocal cord polypectomy under suspension laryngoscopy: a randomized controlled trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided thyroid cartilage plane block (TCPB) on postoperative sore throat (POST) in patients undergoing suspension laryngoscopy vocal cord polypectomy (SLVCP). Ninety patients scheduled for elective SLVCP were randomized to either the TCPB group (general anesthesia + ultrasound-guided TCPB) or the C group (conventional GA), with 45 patients in each. The primary outcome was the incidence of POST at 2 h after extubation. Secondary outcomes included the incidence and severity of POST at 0.5, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after extubation; the incidence and severity of hoarseness at 0.5, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after extubation; and cough response during emergence. The incidence of POST was significantly higher in the C group compared to the TCPB group at 0.5 h (93% vs. 67%, RR = 0.20, 95% CI [0.06–0.64]; P = 0.003), 2 h (78% vs. 47%, RR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.23–0.77]; P = 0.004), and 6 h (64% vs. 27%, RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.32–0.77]; P = 0.001) after extubation. No significant difference in the incidence and severity of hoarseness between the groups at any time point. During extubation, the incidence of cough response in the C group was 60%, significantly higher than the 20% in the TCPB group (RR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.34–0.74]; P = 0.001). Ultrasound-guided TCPB significantly reduces the incidence and severity of POST and cough response in SLVCP patients. This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500100227) on April 7, 2025 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/). Question: Previous drug therapies for relieving postoperative sore throat (POST) after suspension laryngoscopy vocal cord polypectomy (SLVCP) remain controversial, while the superior laryngeal nerve block (SLNB) is technically challenging and yields inconsistent efficacy. Findings: Compared with conventional general anesthesia, the combination of thyroid cartilage plane block (TCPB) and general anesthesia reduces the incidence of POST at 2 hours post-extubation by 31% and decreases the cough response during extubation by 40%. Meaning: TCPB not only avoids drug-related adverse effects but is also simpler and safer to perform than SLNB, providing a standardized and reproducible clinical protocol for postoperative analgesia in SLVCP.

Source: BMC Anesthesiology

DOI: 10.1186/s12871-026-04049-7