Chewing Gum before Thyroid Surgery Reduces Postoperative Sore Throat

Chewing 2.8g of gum prior to total thyroidectomy surgery can significantly decrease the incidence of moderate/severe postoperative sore throat within 48 hours after the procedure. This finding was established through a randomized controlled trial involving 148 patients, with the 2.8g gum group demonstrating a lower incidence of postoperative sore throat compared to the control group. The reduction in sore throat occurrence highlights the potential benefits of chewing gum prior to surgery as a simple and inexpensive intervention.