Hirbo SamuelSamuel Belay2023-12-092023-12-092023-08-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/477Sore throat is the common postoperative complaint and uncomfortable side effect in patients receiving general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, like steroids and local anesthetics, are the best options for postoperative sore throat prophylaxis. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of intravenous lidocaine and dexamethasone on the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat following endotracheal extubation in adult surgical patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from January 1 to March 30, 2023 G.C. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out at TASH. Data from 50 patients in the lidocaine, 50 in the dexamethasone, and 49 in the control groups were analyzed. The data were collected using observation based on structured questionnaires. A systematic random sampling technique was applied to select respondents. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6.0.6 and transferred to STATA version 17 statistical software for analysis. A Comparison of continuous data among the groups were performed using a one-way ANOVA test for parametric data. The Kruskal-Wallis rank test was used for non-parametric data. Associations between variables were tested using chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine degree of association. Result: The incidence of POST was 40%, 32%, and 57.1% in the lidocaine, dexamethasone, and control groups, respectively (P = .0356). Dexamethasone reduced the incidence of POST (AOR: 0.374, 95% CI: 0.149–0.939). However, no difference was observed in the severity of POST at 3 hours (p =0.130), 6 hours (p= 0.096), 12 hours (p =0.313), and 24 hours (p =.0.525 ) of the post-extubation period among the three groups. IV lidocaine did not effectively reduce the incidence and severity of POST at different time intervals. Conclusion and recommendation: Intravenous dexamethasone is more effective than intravenous lidocaine in reducing the incidence of POST among the groups. Based on these findings, intravenous dexamethasone is recommended to decrease the incidence of POST.en-USpostoperative sore throat, endotracheal extubation, dexamethasone, lidocaineThesis