Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesManaging a Sort Throat After SurgeryComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Managing a Sort Throat After Surgery
Complications
The severity of symptoms can differ depending on the cause. There are many simple ways to ease your discomfort (like lozenge use) so you can focus on healing. But you can experience complications that requireantibiotics, other medications, or even surgery to repair damage.
This article explores common mouth and throat problems that may occur after surgery. It will also cover treatment options and when to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Causes of Post-op Oral Health Issues
Postoperativesore throat(POST) symptoms may result from surgeries that involve the mouth, nose, and throat.Any surgery that requiresintubation, which is when a tube is placed in the mouth and down the airway to secure breathing, can also lead to mouth and throat discomfort.
This occurs due to:
Types of surgeries that may require intubation includeemergency, cosmetic,heart, or lung.How long a surgery lasts appears to increase the risk of POST and related dry mouth symptoms.
Adverse Reaction to a Medication or Drug
POST can lead to symptoms of a hoarse voice anddysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. POST typically follows surgery that requires anesthesia and intubation.
Surgeries such asthyroid removalor certain spinal procedures are more likely to put therecurrent laryngeal nerveat risk. People with POST symptoms can develop complications like vocal fold paralysis.Laryngospasm (vocal cords closing) also can occur and affect the larynx, or voicebox, as well as breathing.
In most cases, however, common symptoms of dry mouth, cough, throat pain, and thirst begin to resolve within three to five days.Home remedies can help you to treat symptoms that follow your surgery.
Prevalence of Postoperative Sore ThroatA sore throat is a very common issue after surgery, with studies reporting as many as 60% to 80% of people experience postoperative sore throat (POST).It usually passes within a few days but if it doesn’t improve, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can rule out if you have an infection, such asstrep throat.
Prevalence of Postoperative Sore Throat
A sore throat is a very common issue after surgery, with studies reporting as many as 60% to 80% of people experience postoperative sore throat (POST).It usually passes within a few days but if it doesn’t improve, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can rule out if you have an infection, such asstrep throat.
Treating a Sore Throat After Surgery
In general, good mouth care is a crucial first step in reducing uncomfortable symptoms.
Glucocorticoiddrugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Talk with your healthcare provider about medications for POST. They may recommend:
Gargling with saltwater also can help torelieve soreness or irritation. Also, consider herbal products likearnica, although more research is needed to confirm its benefits.
Why Do I Have a Sore Throat After Surgery?
Managing a Dry Mouth and Lips After Surgery
It’s common for people to experience cracked, dry lips and a dry mouth due to intubation. It’s important to stay hydrated during the first few days after a procedure, as well as try other remedies.
Treating Dry Mouth After Surgery
Ahumidifier, a device that adds moisture to the air, can help with dry mouth post-surgery. You may also want to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine as they can make your mouth more dry.
If your lips are very dry or scaly feeling,gently scrubthem with a moist washcloth. This will remove anydead skin.
Apply a generous amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly to help soften lips. Frequent reapplication, along with drinking lots of fluids, will help your lips to feel better.
Managing Bad Breath After Surgery
Saliva helps minimize bacteria in your mouth. When your mouth is dry for a long time, like during surgery, bacteria can multiply rapidly and cause bad breath.
Treating Bad Breath After Surgery
Some drugs used after surgery, likepain medications, also contribute to bad breath, as they dry out the mouth.
To help with bad breath:
Talk with your healthcare provider about the use of sugar-free gum (look for the ingredient xylitol) or other products to help keep your mouth tissues moist.
How to Get Rid of Lingering Bad Breath
Managing Hoarseness After Surgery
Intubation can lead to vocal cord injuries, which may impact your voice. Most people will see their symptoms resolve in a few days, but others may experience complications that require treatment with antibiotics to prevent infection or even surgical repair.
See your healthcare provider if your hoarseness:
Drinking hot tea, or tea with honey also may soothe your vocal cords.
Treating Hoarseness After Surgery
Many people benefit from the use of lozenges or soothing foods like popsicles, but it’s also important to rest your vocal cords. You also can avoid foods that are difficult to swallow, or that are acidic, like citrus fruits and tomatoes.
Humidity in the air can help, especially if you live in a dry environment. Try to avoid smoke and other irritants.
Preventing POST SymptomsTalk with your healthcare provider about medications you can use before the surgery, too. Some options to help limit symptoms of POST can include lidocaine administration, topical steroids, and lozenges made with the NSAIDflurbiprofen.
Preventing POST Symptoms
Talk with your healthcare provider about medications you can use before the surgery, too. Some options to help limit symptoms of POST can include lidocaine administration, topical steroids, and lozenges made with the NSAIDflurbiprofen.
Recovering From Surgery
Some people will experience complications after intubation and surgery. They include:
It’s also possible for small cuts or wounds to appear in the mouth or throat tissue due to the instruments used during intubation. This can cause pain or even lead to infection.
After intubation, it typically takes a few hours to days for your throat to heal. In complicated cases, it can take several weeks.
Summary
Depending on what you are experiencing, there are several ways to find relief. Keep an eye on your symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if they get worse.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (dysphonia) (update).Otolaryngol–head neck surg. 2018;158(S1). doi:10.1177/0194599817751030American Cancer Society.Surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Jabbar ML, Mahboba JH, Meazher N.Comparing the effectiveness of topical dexamethasone emollient, lidocaine gel, and glycerin emollient on the endotracheal tube for postoperative hoarseness of voice, sore throat, and laryngospasm.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):904-907. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0137MedlinePlus.Endotracheal intubation.Bhanwra A, Palta S, Saroa R, Saxena P, Bhanwra S, Jain A.Role of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in Postoperative Sore Throat (POST) - a randomised control trial.BMC Anesthesiol. 2024;24(1):164. doi:10.1186/s12871-024-02534-5Mazzotta E, Soghomonyan S, Hu LQ.Postoperative sore throat: Prophylaxis and treatment.Front Pharmacol.2023;14:1284071. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1284071Gupta A, Gupta A, Singh TK, Saxsena A.Role of oral care to prevent vap in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.Saudi J Anaesth. 2016;10(1):95-7. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.169484American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).National Institutes of Health.Cepacol extra strength sore throat cherry.National Institutes of Health.Chloraseptic sore throat spray max.Tsintzas D, Vithoulkas G.Treatment of postoperative sore throat with the aid of the homeopathic remedy arnica montana: A report of two cases.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):926-928. doi:10.1177/2156587217735986Michigan Medicine.Dry mouth: Home treatment and prevention.American Academy of Dermatology Association.7 dermatologists' tips for healing dry, chapped lips.National Institutes of Health.Dry mouth.American Dental Association.Bad breath: 6 causes and 6 solutions.Haerian-Ardakani A, Rezaei M, Talebi-Ardakani M, et al.Comparison of antimicrobial effects of three different mouthwashes.Iran J Public Health. 2015;44(7):997-1003.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (dysphonia) (update).Otolaryngol–head neck surg. 2018;158(S1). doi:10.1177/0194599817751030American Cancer Society.Surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Jabbar ML, Mahboba JH, Meazher N.Comparing the effectiveness of topical dexamethasone emollient, lidocaine gel, and glycerin emollient on the endotracheal tube for postoperative hoarseness of voice, sore throat, and laryngospasm.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):904-907. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0137MedlinePlus.Endotracheal intubation.Bhanwra A, Palta S, Saroa R, Saxena P, Bhanwra S, Jain A.Role of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in Postoperative Sore Throat (POST) - a randomised control trial.BMC Anesthesiol. 2024;24(1):164. doi:10.1186/s12871-024-02534-5Mazzotta E, Soghomonyan S, Hu LQ.Postoperative sore throat: Prophylaxis and treatment.Front Pharmacol.2023;14:1284071. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1284071Gupta A, Gupta A, Singh TK, Saxsena A.Role of oral care to prevent vap in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.Saudi J Anaesth. 2016;10(1):95-7. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.169484American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).National Institutes of Health.Cepacol extra strength sore throat cherry.National Institutes of Health.Chloraseptic sore throat spray max.Tsintzas D, Vithoulkas G.Treatment of postoperative sore throat with the aid of the homeopathic remedy arnica montana: A report of two cases.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):926-928. doi:10.1177/2156587217735986Michigan Medicine.Dry mouth: Home treatment and prevention.American Academy of Dermatology Association.7 dermatologists' tips for healing dry, chapped lips.National Institutes of Health.Dry mouth.American Dental Association.Bad breath: 6 causes and 6 solutions.Haerian-Ardakani A, Rezaei M, Talebi-Ardakani M, et al.Comparison of antimicrobial effects of three different mouthwashes.Iran J Public Health. 2015;44(7):997-1003.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (dysphonia) (update).Otolaryngol–head neck surg. 2018;158(S1). doi:10.1177/0194599817751030American Cancer Society.Surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.Jabbar ML, Mahboba JH, Meazher N.Comparing the effectiveness of topical dexamethasone emollient, lidocaine gel, and glycerin emollient on the endotracheal tube for postoperative hoarseness of voice, sore throat, and laryngospasm.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):904-907. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0137MedlinePlus.Endotracheal intubation.Bhanwra A, Palta S, Saroa R, Saxena P, Bhanwra S, Jain A.Role of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in Postoperative Sore Throat (POST) - a randomised control trial.BMC Anesthesiol. 2024;24(1):164. doi:10.1186/s12871-024-02534-5Mazzotta E, Soghomonyan S, Hu LQ.Postoperative sore throat: Prophylaxis and treatment.Front Pharmacol.2023;14:1284071. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1284071Gupta A, Gupta A, Singh TK, Saxsena A.Role of oral care to prevent vap in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.Saudi J Anaesth. 2016;10(1):95-7. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.169484American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).National Institutes of Health.Cepacol extra strength sore throat cherry.National Institutes of Health.Chloraseptic sore throat spray max.Tsintzas D, Vithoulkas G.Treatment of postoperative sore throat with the aid of the homeopathic remedy arnica montana: A report of two cases.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):926-928. doi:10.1177/2156587217735986Michigan Medicine.Dry mouth: Home treatment and prevention.American Academy of Dermatology Association.7 dermatologists' tips for healing dry, chapped lips.National Institutes of Health.Dry mouth.American Dental Association.Bad breath: 6 causes and 6 solutions.Haerian-Ardakani A, Rezaei M, Talebi-Ardakani M, et al.Comparison of antimicrobial effects of three different mouthwashes.Iran J Public Health. 2015;44(7):997-1003.
Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al.Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (dysphonia) (update).Otolaryngol–head neck surg. 2018;158(S1). doi:10.1177/0194599817751030
American Cancer Society.Surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
Jabbar ML, Mahboba JH, Meazher N.Comparing the effectiveness of topical dexamethasone emollient, lidocaine gel, and glycerin emollient on the endotracheal tube for postoperative hoarseness of voice, sore throat, and laryngospasm.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):904-907. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0137
MedlinePlus.Endotracheal intubation.
Bhanwra A, Palta S, Saroa R, Saxena P, Bhanwra S, Jain A.Role of preoperative zinc, magnesium and budesonide gargles in Postoperative Sore Throat (POST) - a randomised control trial.BMC Anesthesiol. 2024;24(1):164. doi:10.1186/s12871-024-02534-5
Mazzotta E, Soghomonyan S, Hu LQ.Postoperative sore throat: Prophylaxis and treatment.Front Pharmacol.2023;14:1284071. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1284071
Gupta A, Gupta A, Singh TK, Saxsena A.Role of oral care to prevent vap in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients.Saudi J Anaesth. 2016;10(1):95-7. doi:10.4103/1658-354X.169484
American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).
National Institutes of Health.Cepacol extra strength sore throat cherry.
National Institutes of Health.Chloraseptic sore throat spray max.
Tsintzas D, Vithoulkas G.Treatment of postoperative sore throat with the aid of the homeopathic remedy arnica montana: A report of two cases.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):926-928. doi:10.1177/2156587217735986
Michigan Medicine.Dry mouth: Home treatment and prevention.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.7 dermatologists' tips for healing dry, chapped lips.
National Institutes of Health.Dry mouth.
American Dental Association.Bad breath: 6 causes and 6 solutions.
Haerian-Ardakani A, Rezaei M, Talebi-Ardakani M, et al.Comparison of antimicrobial effects of three different mouthwashes.Iran J Public Health. 2015;44(7):997-1003.
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