[Electroacupuncture in the prevention and treatment of sore throat and nausea and vomiting after gastrointestinal surgery: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on postoperative sore throat (POST) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after endotracheal intubation and general anesthesia. METHODS: According to the random number table, 60 patients of gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation were randomly divided into EA group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). Patients in the EA group were given acupuncture at Shaoshang (LU11) 30 minutes before general anesthesia, and EA at Chize (LU5) and Hegu (LI4) continued until the operation was completed. The incidence and severity of POST and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery, and the incidence and severity of PONV at 12, 24 h after surgery were analyzed, respectively. RESULTS: The incidence and severity of POST and PONV, and VAS score in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the control group 12 h and 24 h after surgery (P<0.05). Both groups had significant reductions in VAS score at 24 h and 48 h after surgery compared with that at 12 h (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can significantly improve the prognosis of patients on sore throat and reduce the incidence of PONV.

Previous Traditional Medicine Use for Sore Throat among Children Evaluated for Rheumatic Fever in Northern Uganda.

Timely diagnosis of group A streptococcal (GAS) sore throat coupled with appropriate antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent serious post-streptococcal complications, including rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Traditional medicine (TM) is a known common adjunct to formal medical care in sub-Saharan Africa. A better understanding of health-seeking behavior for sore throat both within and outside the formal medical system is critical to improving primary prevention efforts of RF and RHD. A prospective mixed-methods study on the use of TM for sore throat was embedded within a larger epidemiological study of RF in Northern Uganda. Children presenting with symptoms of RF were interviewed about recent TM use as well as health services use for sore throat. One hundred children with a median age of 10 years (interquartile range: 6.8-13 years) completed the TM interview with their parent/guardian as part of a research study of RF. Seventeen, or 17%, accessed a TM provider for sore throat as part of the current illness, and 70% accessed TM for sore throat in the past (73% current or past use). Of the 20 parents who witnessed the TM visit, 100% reported use of crude tonsillectomy. Penicillin was the most frequently prescribed medication by TM providers in 52% of participants who were seen by a TM provider. The use of TM among children presenting with symptoms of sore throat in northern Uganda is common and frequently used in tandem with diagnostic services offered through the formal healthcare system. Engagement with TM practitioners may provide an important avenue for designing effective primary prevention and management strategies of RF and reduce the global burden of RHD.

School-based Streptococcal A Sore-throat Treatment Programs and Acute Rheumatic Fever Amongst Indigenous Maori: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) predominantly affects indigenous Maori schoolchildren in Bay of Plenty region, and more so male Maori students, especially when socioeconomically deprived. We evaluated the effectiveness of strategies for reducing ARF with group A streptococcal pharyngitis treatment in 2011-18. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed outcomes of 3 open cohorts of Maori schoolchildren receiving different interventions: Eastern Bay rural Cohort 1, mean deprivation decile 9.80, received school-based sore-throat programs with nurse and general practice (GP) support; Eastern Whakatane township/surrounds Cohort 2, mean deprivation 7.25, GP management; Western Bay Cohort 3, mean deprivation 5.98, received predominantly GP care, but 3 highest-risk schools received school-based programs. Cases were identified from ICD10 ARF-coded hospital discharges, notifications to Ministry of Health, and a secondary-prevention penicillin database. Primary outcomes were first-presentation ARF cohorts' incidence preintervention (2000-10) and postintervention (2011-18) with cases over annual school rolls' Maori students-year denominators. RESULTS: Overall, ARF in Maori schoolchildren declined in the cohorts with school-based programs. Cohort 1 saw a postintervention (2011-18) decline of 60%, 148 to 59/100,000/year, rate ratio (RR) = 0.40(CI 0.22-0.73) P = 0.002. Males' incidence declined 190 to 78 × 100,000/year RR = 0.41(CI 0.19-0.85) P = 0.013 and females too, narrowing gender disparities. Cohort 3 ARF incidence decreased 48%, 50 to 26/100,000/year RR = 0.52(CI 0.27-0.99) P = 0.044. In contrast, ARF doubled in Cohort 2 students with GP-only care without school-based programs increasing 30 to 69/100,000/year RR = 2.28(CI 0.99-5.27) P = 0.047, especially for males 39/100,000/year to 107/100,000/year RR = 2.71(CI 1.00-7.33) P = 0.0405. CONCLUSIONS: School-based programs with indigenous Maori health workers' sore-throat swabbing and GP/Nurse support reduced first-presentation ARF incidence in Maori students in highest-risk settings.

Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections in infants and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Acute upper respiratory tract infections are the most common infections in infants and children. Saline nasal irrigation (SNI) is widely prescribed and recommended. We conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of SNI in infants and children with acute rhinopharyngitis. METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, Medline, Embase and clinicalTrials.gov. Two authors selected randomized control trials (RCTs), including infants ≥3 months and children ≤12 years, comparing the use of isotonic saline solutions, whatever their mode of administration, with one therapeutic abstention, or a therapy deemed less important for nasal lavage. Trial quality was assessed independently by two authors, who, with a third author, extracted and analysed data. Statistical analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The standard difference in means (SMD) between groups and its 95% confidence interval were estimated. RESULTS: Four RCTs (569 participants) were included. The analysis showed a benefit of SNI for certain clinical rhinological symptoms (SMD = -0.29 [-0.45; -0.13]) but no significant improvement of respiratory symptoms (SMD = -0.19 [-0.70; 1.08]) or health status (SMD = -0.30 [-0.68; 0.07]). Its use appeared to limit the prescription of other treatments, whether local or systemic, and particularly antibiotics. Long-term use led to a decrease in the incidence of acute rhinosinusitis and its complications. SNI appeared to be a safe treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SNI is beneficial for rhinological symptoms but not respiratory symptoms. Further research is needed to address the full benefits/risks of this treatment.

[Clinical observation of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with chronic pharyngitis were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 21 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points [Neiguan (PC 6), Waiguan (TE 5), Lieque (LU 7), Houxi (SI 3), Gongsun (SP 4), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6) and Zulinqi (GB 41)], once a day, 6 days as one course, with an interval of 1 day between the courses, 4-course treatment was required. In the control group, Qinghou Liyan granules were taken orally 5 g each time, 3 times a day, 7 days as one course and 4 courses were required. Before and after treatment, symptoms and signs scores of chronic pharyngitis and the contents of IL-2 and TNF-a in serum were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, symptoms and signs scores of chronic pharyngitis and the contents of IL-2 and TNF-a in serum were improved in both groups (all P<0.05), and the changes in the observation group were superior to the control group (all P<0.05). The total effective rate was 90.5% (19/21) in the observation group, which was superior to 81.0% (17/21) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis is superior to conventional Chinese patent medication treatment by Qing Liyan granules.

Use of probiotics in medical devices applied to some common pathologies.

Probiotics, defined as "living microorganisms that, whether ingested in useful amount, may have beneficial effects on human body", are widely used in various products for human use, such as dietary supplements, medical devices and pharmaceutical products. The European Directive on medical devices (MDs) (DDM 93/42), also includes those MDs containing live microorganisms, particularly probiotics, that may have various destinations of use, including that of assisting the therapy of several human pathologies. In this brief note we analyzed the use of probiotics in MDs and how probiotics administration could represent one of the new frontiers of scientific research on the prevention and treatment of various diseases. We'll analyze the literature on probiotics based MDs, to review their major targets in the therapy of some of the most common human pathologies: bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis, atopic dermatitis, infantile colic, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pharyngotonsillitis.

Bacteriotherapy with Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB and Streptococcus oralis 89a oral spray for children with recurrent streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) causes a recurrent acute pharyngotonsillitis (RAPT) in children. Moreover, the repeated use of antibiotics contributes to its resistance. However, S. Salivarius 24SMB and S. oralis 89a were effective probiotics in other infections. Thus, we decided to evaluate this combination efficacy compared to placebo in RAPT. METHODS: Patients with microbiologically confirmed GABHS were enrolled in this randomized, placebo-controlled trial. They received the aforementioned combination or placebo as an oral spray. We investigated episodes of frequency and duration, need for antibiotics, school days lost, the treatment impact on life quality, treatment compliance and side effects during a 90-day treatment and a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: We included 41 patients in each group. The mean number of GABHS infection was significantly lower during both study periods for the two groups. However, our treatment group showed a lower rate. Moreover, the probiotic group had a lower mean number and a shorter median duration of GABHS episodes during both study periods than controls. Furthermore, the mean duration of antibiotic treatment was lower in the probiotic group during the 90-day and 6-month follow-up periods. Similarly, patients in the probiotic group showed a significantly lower mean number of absence days from school but higher EQ-VAS score. Indeed, all patients included were compliant to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We identified potential probiotics, possessing desirable features against GABHS pharyngotonsillitis. Our findings represent the first evidence which throws the light on using these probiotics that can reduce antibiotics use which did not have efficient results regarding recurrence.

[Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on treatment and prevention of postoperative sore throat after tracheal intubation under general anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) on treatment and prevention of postoperative sore throat (POST) after tracheal intubation under general anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred patients who received elective thyroid gland lobectomy with gradeⅠand Ⅱ of American Society of Anesthesiologists criteria were randomly assigned into a TEAS group and an anesthesia group according to random number table method, 50 cases in each group. All the patients were treated with tracheal intubation under general anesthesia. Patients in the TEAS group were treated with TEAS (2 Hz/100 Hz, 8 to 12 mA) at Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) from 30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of operation. Patients in the anesthesia group were treated with TEAS at the same acupoints but no electrical stimulation was given. The incidence rate, severity and visual analogue scale (VAS) of POST were recorded 1h, 6h, 12h and 24h after tracheal extubation, respectively. RESULTS: The incidence rate of POST was 12.0% (6/50), 22.0% (11/50) and 18.0% (9/50) 1h, 6h, 12h after tracheal extubation respectively in the TEAS group, which was significantly lower than 30.0% (15/50), 42.0% (21/50) and 36.0% (18/50) in the anesthesia group (all P<0.05). However, the incidence rate was not significantly different between the two groups 24h after extubation[14.0% (7/50) vs 28.0% (14/50), P>0.05]. Moreover, the VAS scores of the patients with POST in the TEAS group at each time point were lower than those in the anesthesia group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TEAS at Hegu (LI 4) and Neiguan (PC 6) can effectively reduce the incidence rate and severity of POST induced by tracheal intubation under general anesthesia.

[Advantages and problems of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of acute pharyngitis].

This paper systematically studies relevant literatures at home and abroad in recent years. China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) was used to collect the literatures for acute pharyngitis treated with traditional Chinese medicine from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2016, and the bibliometric method was employed for statistical analysis. A total of 493 papers were preliminarily selected. According to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, 182 eligible articles were selected. According to the evaluation and analysis of the literatures, the Guidelines for Clinical Research of New Drugs is currently used as the common standards for the diagnosis and treatment of acute pharyngitis; Chinese patent medicines are the main traditional Chinese medicine for treating this disease; Decoctions for treatment of this disease include Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scutellariae Radix, Platycodonis Radix, Forsythiae Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Scrophdlariae Radix, Isatidis Radix, and Ophiopogonis Radix; The bloodletting puncture is the common external therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their own characteristics in the treatment of this disease. Western medicine for the treatment of acute pharyngitis are mainly antiviral, antibiotic and glucocorticoid drugs, whose disadvantages are toxicity, side effects, drug resistance and double infections. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors have rich experiences in the treatment of the disease, which is characterized by treatment determination based on syndrome differentiation, safe and reliable medication, significant curative effect, low drug resistance, and wide varieties of traditional Chinese medicine forms, convenient portability and taking, low price, and low toxic and side effects. It is an arduous and significant task to explore traditional Chinese medicine, and study and develop new-type effective drugs.

Evolving Frontiers in the Treatment of Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Cervical Adenitis (PFAPA) Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fevers recurring at a nearly predictable rate every 3-8 weeks are the signature symptom of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome, an acquired autoinflammatory disorder which recurs in association with at least one sign among aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and/or cervical lymph node enlargement without clinical signs related to upper respiratory airways or other localized infections. The disease usually has a rather benign course, although it might relapse during adulthood after a spontaneous or treatment-induced resolution in childhood. The number of treatment choices currently available for PFAPA syndrome has grown in recent years, but data from clinical trials dedicated to this disorder are limited to small cohorts of patients or single case reports. The response of PFAPA patients to a single dose of corticosteroids is usually striking, while little data exist for treatment with cimetidine and colchicine. Preliminary interesting results have been published with regard to vitamin D supplementation in PFAPA syndrome, while inhibition of interleukin-1 might represent an intriguing treatment for PFAPA patients who have not responded to standard therapies. Tonsillectomy has been proven curative in many studies related to PFAPA syndrome, although the evidence of its efficacy is not widely shared by different specialists, including pediatricians, rheumatologists and otorhynolaryngologists.

Integrative management of pediatric tonsillopharyngitis: An international survey.

This survey investigated the management of pediatric tonsillopharyngitis, with a focus on natural remedies. 138 pediatricians, general practitioners and ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialists in 7 countries were surveyed by a dedicated questionnaire. A rapid strept test (RST) to diagnose acute tonsillopharyngitis was routinely used by 56/138 participants (41%). The use of RST allowed 200 diagnosis/year compared with 125 diagnosis/year for clinicians who did not use this tool. Homeopathy remedies were prescribed as a supportive therapy by 62% of participants (85/138). Among different homeopathic remedies, SilAtro-5-90 was the most frequently prescribed (53/138, 38%). In the chronic setting, homeopathy was suggested as a supportive therapy by 82/138 participants (59%), phytotherapy by 39 (28%) and vitamins/nutritional supplementation by 51 (37%). The management of tonsillopharyngitis in pediatric patients still remains empiric. Natural remedies, and homeopathy in particular, are used in the management of URTIs. An integrative approach to these infections may help reduce excessive antibiotic prescription.

Ear Acupuncture for Acute Sore Throat: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sore throat is a common cause of pain in outpatient encounters. Battlefield auricular acupuncture (the placing of needles in specific points in the ear) is a modality used to treat acute pain associated with a variety of ailments. The aim of our study was to determine whether auricular acupuncture reduces pain, medication usage, and missed work hours when added to standard therapy in adult patients with acute sore throat. METHODS: We conducted an unblinded, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial among adult, nonpregnant patients presenting to an Air Force family medicine clinic with pain from acute sore throat. A total of 54 patients were followed for 48 hours after treatment. RESULTS: Patients receiving auricular acupuncture reported lower pain scores than those who did not at 15 minutes (6.0 [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.4-6.6] vs 2.6 [95% CI, 1.7-3.5]; P < .0001), 6 hours (4.8 [95% CI, 4.0-5.6] vs 2.5 [95% CI, 1.6-3.4]; P = .0005), and 24 hours (4.1 [95% CI, 3.3-4.9] vs 1.3 [95% CI, 1.0-2.8]; P = .0006). They also reported taking fewer cumulative doses of pain medication at 6 hours (1.07 [95% CI, 0.69-1.45] vs 0.39 [95% CI, 0.2-0.58]; P = .003), 24 hours (2.63 [95% CI, 1.95-3.31] vs 1.37 [95% CI, 0.92-1.82]; P = .004), and 48 hours (4.07 [95% CI, 2.9-5.24] vs 2.19 [95% CI, 1.44-2.94]; P = .009). There was no difference in time missed from work between the auricular acupuncture and standard therapy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with usual treatment, battlefield auricular acupuncture was associated with reduced sore throat pain for 24 hours and decreased use of pain medication for up to 48 hours. There was no apparent effect on hours missed from work.

Korean hand therapy for tonsillectomy pain in children.

OBJECTIVES: Severe throat pain can result from tonsillectomy and last up to 10 days in children. Codeine has recently been banned by the FDA in light of a recently recognized risk of death in these patients. Acupuncture has previously been associated with decreased pain in children after tonsillectomy. However, about 1 in 5 patients will refuse traditional acupuncture because of fear of needles. We explored Korean Hand Therapy (KHT), an acupuncture technique which does not involve needles, to see if this would also be associated with pain relief and be more widely accepted by children. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of children who underwent tonsillectomy over a 4-month window. No narcotics were prescribed after surgery. Patients who wanted help with pain relief were offered KHT. Perceived pain level was assessed before and after the KHT treatment. Following the 10-day recovery for tonsillectomy, patients or their parents were queried as to how long the pain relief from the KHT intervention was perceived to last. RESULTS: Fifty-six children underwent tonsillectomy; 29 of these patients (1-14 years) presented for pain relief after tonsillectomy and received KHT. 100% of patients (29 of 29) who were offered KHT accepted the intervention. The mean reported pain level before KHT was 5.03 (SD=2.69) out of 10. This fell to 3.06 (SD=3.15) after KHT. Statistical analyses supported the general conclusion that pain reports decline after KHT in the sampled population. 15 patients who received KHT - or their parents - provided a post-recovery report for how long they believed the KHT intervention lasted. The mean duration of perceived KHT benefit was 78.20h, though the standard deviation was large (64.38h). With the exception of one child reporting a slight increase in pain, no adverse effects were associated with KHT. CONCLUSIONS: The data tentatively suggest KHT is associated with decreases in perceived pain after tonsillectomy and is widely accepted by children. These data - combined with the cost effectiveness, safety and ease of administering KHT - suggest that further studies exploring the effectiveness of KHT for pain relief after tonsillectomy are merited.

Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections.

BACKGROUND: Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), including the common cold and rhinosinusitis, are common afflictions that cause discomfort and debilitation and contribute significantly to workplace absenteeism. Treatment is generally by antipyretic and decongestant drugs and sometimes antibiotics, even though most infections are viral. Nasal irrigation with saline is often employed as an adjunct treatment for URTI symptoms despite a relative lack of evidence for benefit in this clinical setting. This review is an update of the Cochrane review by Kassel et al, which found that saline was probably effective in reducing the severity of some symptoms associated with acute URTIs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of saline nasal irrigation for treating the symptoms of acute URTIs. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1966 to July week 5, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to August 2014), CINAHL (1982 to August 2014), AMED (1985 to August 2014) and LILACS (1982 to August 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing topical nasal saline treatment to other interventions in adults and children with clinically diagnosed acute URTIs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors (DK, BM) independently assessed trial quality with the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool and extracted data. We analysed all data using the Cochrane Review Manager software. Due to the large variability of outcome measures only a small number of outcomes could be pooled for statistical analysis. MAIN RESULTS: We identified five RCTs that randomised 544 children (three studies) and 205 adults (exclusively from two studies). They all compared saline irrigation to routine care or other nose sprays, rather than placebo. We included two new trials in this update, which did not contribute data of sufficient size or quality to materially change the original findings. Most trials were small and we judged them to be of low quality, contributing to an unclear risk of bias. Most outcome measures differed greatly between included studies and therefore could not be pooled. Most results showed no difference between nasal saline treatment and control. However, one larger trial, conducted with children, did show a significant reduction in nasal secretion score (mean difference (MD) -0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.48 to -0.14) and nasal breathing (obstruction) score (MD -0.33, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.19) in the saline group. However, a MD of -0.33 on a four-point symptom scale may have minimal clinical significance. The trial also showed a significant reduction in the use of decongestant medication by the saline group. Minor nasal discomfort and/or irritation was the only side effect reported by a minority of participants. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Nasal saline irrigation possibly has benefits for relieving the symptoms of acute URTIs. However, the included trials were generally too small and had a high risk of bias, reducing confidence in the evidence supporting this. Future trials should involve larger numbers of participants and report standardised and clinically meaningful outcome measures.

Older adults' use of care strategies in response to general and upper respiratory symptoms.

This study examined the use of complementary and medical treatments, both individually and in combination, to address common general and upper respiratory symptoms. Data for the analysis were collected from a series of 18 daily diary questionnaires administered to community-living older African American and white adults living in rural counties in North Carolina. Participants reported symptoms experienced on each diary day and the treatment strategies they used each day in response to the particular symptom(s). Older adults used diverse categories of strategies to treat symptoms; treatment strategies were used inconsistently across symptoms. Use of only complementary strategies, only medical conventional strategies, or both complementary and medical strategies to treat any one symptom rarely corresponded to the use of the same strategy to address other symptoms. Future research would benefit from analyzing how older adults use health care strategies across symptom categories.

Complementary and integrative treatments: adenotonsillar disease.

The purpose of this article is to familiarize the otolaryngologist with complementary and integrative treatment options for the management of sore throat and tonsillitis. A review of the available literature will provide insight into available treatment options with these therapies. Current medical and surgical approaches to therapy for adenotonsillar disease will be reviewed.

Acupuncture in preventing postoperative anaesthesia-related sore throat: a comparison with no acupuncture.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat occurs frequently in surgical patients as a result of tracheal intubation. Despite advances in medical and anaesthetic care, the incidence of postoperative sore throat remains high. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in the prevention of postoperative sore throat following general anaesthesia. METHODS: A non-randomised clinical study (NRS) was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Tehran, Iran on 228 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. Of these, 114 patients were assigned to the acupuncture group and treated with body acupuncture at the PC6 point, while the remaining 114 patients received no preventive care and were treated with routine medical treatment where necessary. The incidence of sore throat within the first 24 h postoperatively was then compared between the two study groups. RESULTS: Of the 114 patients in the acupuncture group, 16 patients (14%) experienced sore throat within the first 24 h postoperatively, which was significantly lower compared to the 34 patients (29.8%) with sore throat in the medical treatment group (p<0.05). However, the frequency of patients with severe sore throat requiring medical treatment did not differ significantly (12.3% vs 16.7%, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that acupuncture could be considered as an option in prevention of postoperative anaesthesia-related sore throat.