The Effect of Preoperative Chewing Gum on Anxiety and Postoperative Sore Throat in Patients Using a Laryngeal Mask Airway: A Randomized Controlled Trial


Erten E., ARICI PARLAK E., ILKAZ N.

International Journal of Nursing Practice, cilt.32, sa.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/ijn.70171
  • Dergi Adı: International Journal of Nursing Practice
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety, chewing gum, laryngeal mask, nursing, sore throat
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preoperative chewing gum on anxiety levels and postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing breast surgery using a laryngeal mask airway. Method: This study was conducted in the Anaesthesia and Reanimation Department of a training and research hospital. Patients in the intervention group (n = 46) were instructed to chew gum for 2 min during the preoperative period, whereas the control group (n = 47) received standard nursing care. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale during premedication and immediately before surgery. Post-extubation, the severity of sore throat was measured via the Visual Analogue Scale, whereas the presence of cough and hoarseness was recorded. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative sore throat and cough at the second, fourth and sixth hours (p > 0.05). However, at the second postoperative hour, the incidence of hoarseness was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.004). There was no difference between the groups in terms of hoarseness at the fourth and sixth hours after surgery (p > 0.05). Immediately before surgery, the control group exhibited significantly higher total Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale scores (p = 0.047) and anxiety subscale scores (p = 0.023). There was no significant difference between groups in the information requirement subscale (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative chewing gum effectively reduces anxiety levels before breast surgery. Although it does not significantly alleviate postoperative sore throat, it appears to reduce hoarseness 2 h post-extubation. As a simple and non-pharmacological intervention, chewing gum is recommended for managing preoperative anxiety. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06168981.