Scale for Evaluating Oral and Pharyngolaryngeal Symptoms After General Anesthesia

More than 320 million surgical procedures are performed worldwide each year, and most of these procedures are performed under general anesthesia. In such anesthesia practices, patients' airways are usually managed by endotracheal intubation (ETT) or laryngeal mask (LM). These airway management techniques can lead to various pharyngolaryngeal symptoms in the postoperative period. The most common complications include sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and laryngeal injuries. Endotracheal intubation can cause laryngeal injuries, especially during tube placement and removal. These injuries can lead to serious complications such as edema, granuloma, thickening of the vocal cords, subluxation, and nerve palsy. The frequency of postoperative pharyngolaryngeal symptoms varies depending on the type of surgical intervention the patient has undergone, the duration of intubation, and the experience of the operators. Most pharyngolaryngeal injuries are associated with factors such as incorrect placement of the endotracheal tube, overinflation, prolonged indwelling, or incorrect use of the laryngeal mask. However, these symptoms are often considered transient and are often overlooked by patients or healthcare professionals. However, in some cases, long-term functional disorders related to voice, swallowing, and airway patency may develop.

The assessment of pharyngolaryngeal symptoms is critical for more effective management of patients throughout the treatment process and for optimizing their care. Early recognition and management of these symptoms by nurses and other healthcare professionals can reduce complications and increase patient satisfaction.

There is no standard scale in the literature that can assess and classify these symptoms after surgical anesthesia. Existing assessments usually address symptoms separately and are usually performed with subjective measurements. The aim of this study was to develop a scale that can more systematically assess oral and pharyngolaryngeal symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing after surgical interventions. Conducting validity and reliability tests of this scale will be an important step in improving patient care during surgical procedures and managing postoperative symptoms more effectively. The aim of this study was to develop a scale to assess pharyngolaryngeal symptoms after general anesthesia and to determine its validity and reliability.