Sore Throat After Surgery: Causes, Meaning & Treatment

Waking up with a sore throat is a common experience for patients undergoing surgery. As many as 60 percent of patients report this symptom, also called postoperative sore throat, following their operation.

Other symptoms may include a cough, a hoarse voice, or difficulty swallowing. These symptoms usually go away after a day or two. Sometimes over-the-counter medication can alleviate symptoms. While complications are rare, it’s helpful to know when your symptoms may need further care.

Causes of post-surgery throat discomfort

Post-surgery sore throat is commonly caused by the insertion of breathing tubes or other airway devices used during surgery to maintain oxygen flow. Contributing factors like age, pre-existing conditions such as asthma or dehydration can further increase the likelihood of throat discomfort after surgery.

Tracheal intubation

The most common way an anesthetist will keep your airway open is to use an endotracheal tube. This is a long plastic tube placed down your throat, between your vocal cords, and into the first part of the lungs. The anesthetist will give oxygen and anesthetic gas through this tube. The tube has an inflatable tip to secure its position within your throat.

Another method of securing the airway is to use a device known as a laryngeal mask airway. This is a short tube with a tip that seals around your airway, rather than going through it. This too has an inflatable tip to keep it well-positioned during your surgery.

During tube insertion and placement damage can occur to parts of your throat. Usually this is because the lining of your throat becomes bruised or scraped. The tube itself or the inflatable tip is what causes this damage. If damage occurs, it is often minor and results in mild symptoms that should resolve within a day or two.

The choice of tube will be up to your anesthetic provider. If you have questions or concerns, you should ask until you understand the plan for your case. If you have experienced sore throat after surgery before, let your provider know. They may be able to take some steps during your surgery to lessen the risk of developing symptoms again.

Age and asthma in children

If you are taking care of a child undergoing surgery, they may be at risk for sore throat after surgery. Asthma and a dry cough before surgery can make a child more susceptible to a sore throat after surgery.

Dehydration

It is often necessary that you don’t eat or drink anything the day of your procedure. If your surgery is later in the day, this means you have gone a long period of time without eating or drinking.

Further, if you’re in pain or are feeling unwell after surgery, you may not be drinking enough water. Be sure to try and begin drinking water as soon as your doctor allows so that you can recover. Throat dryness can make your symptoms worse.

Typical duration of post-surgery sore throat

A sore throat after surgery should last no more than 48 hours. If you are still having symptoms three to four days after your surgery, let your doctor know.

There are rare but serious complications that can occur. If your symptoms are severe and aren’t improving with medication, please call your doctor.

Complications associated with a post-surgery sore throat

Serious complications associated with post-surgery sore throat are rare. Research suggests they occur in 6% of patients undergoing elective surgery.

This is usually caused by a hematoma, which is a bruise of one of the vocal cords. Other injuries include damage to the vocal cords or the soft tissues in your throat. These may need treatment by a specialist.

Soothing and treating a sore throat after surgery

Treatment of a sore throat after surgery is usually simple and inexpensive.

Over-the-counter or home remedies

Over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen can help with post-surgery sore throat. Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting either medication.

Throat sprays or lozenges with lidocaine can also help to relieve your symptoms.

Rehydration

Drink water as soon as your doctor will allow it. Dehydration can make your sore throat worse.

Supplements or remedies

It is possible that the remedy Arnica montana may help to ease post-surgery sore throat. Please speak to your doctor before taking any supplements or other remedies.

When to consult a medical professional

Persistent or severe symptoms may mean there is a more serious problem.

You should see a doctor if:

• You have symptoms more than two days after surgery. Symptoms to watch for include sore throat, hoarse voice, and difficulty swallowing.
• Your symptoms are severe, limiting your ability to perform normal daily activities.
• Your symptoms do not respond to treatment recommended by your doctor.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• If you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• If your breathing is noisy.

Frequently asked questions: sore throat after surgery

Patients with a sore throat after surgery often have questions. Here we address some of the most common ones.

Are there any things to consider if your throat is sore after surgery?

This is not an uncommon experience, occurring in over half of patients. If your symptoms are severe or take more than two days to resolve, please call your doctor.

How can you prevent throat discomfort after surgery or anesthesia?

Sore throat after surgery can be due to the methods and devices your anesthetist uses. If you have prior experience with these symptoms, be sure to let your anesthetist know.

How can you prevent throat discomfort after intubation?

The most important thing you can do is to drink water and track your symptoms. Take over-the-counter medication with advice from your doctor.

What if your throat is still sore 1-2 weeks after surgery?

If you are experiencing symptoms 1-2 weeks after surgery, please let your doctor know.

Takeaways on post-surgery sore throat

Sore throat after surgery is very common. It is rarely a cause for concern. It often improves with over-the-counter medication and rehydration. Be sure to contact your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Sources

Tsintzas, Dionysis, and George Vithoulkas. "Treatment of postoperative sore throat with the aid of the homeopathic remedy Arnica montana: a report of two cases." Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine 22.4 (2017): 926-928. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871314/

El‐Boghdadly, Kariem, C. R. Bailey, and M. D. Wiles. "Postoperative sore throat: a systematic review." Anaesthesia 71.6 (2016): 706-717. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27158989/

McHardy, F. E., and F. Chung. "Postoperative sore throat: cause, prevention and treatment." Anaesthesia 54.5 (1999): 444-453. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10995141/