Evaluating the lipsense device for reducing oral dryness in patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective daycare surgeries

Background and aims

Postoperative thirst and oral dryness after general anesthesia is a well-known concern encountered in the post anesthesia care unit; equally distressing for the patient and the clinician. The Lipsense device (Coolsense ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel) is a novel device which allows controlled delivery of water to relieve thirst and oral dryness. We hypothesized lipsesne will be effective to decrease thirst and oral dryness and thus improve overall patient and care giver satisfaction.

Method

This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted in 120 adult patients, equally divided into 3 groups receiving Lipsense, wet gauge and no intervention; undergoing daycare surgeries under general anesthesia and complaining of postoperative thirst. Numerical rating scores of thirst and oral dryness were measured at 0,1,2,3 h of postoperative period by an independent observer.

Results

The mean difference in intensity scores for thirst and oral dryness from baseline till the end of 3 h was greater in the Lipsense group (4.12 and 4.26 respectively) than in the wet gauge group (2.92 and 2.82). Lipsense resulted in a greater reduction, i.e. 72 % as compared to our hypothesis of 35 % reduction. Wet gauge resulted in a 46 % reduction in thirst intensity.

Conclusion

Lipsense is an effective device to reduce postoperative thirst and oral dryness with minimal side effects in comparison to wet gauge or no intervention in patients after general anesthesia.