Gargling: Its Efficacy for Laryngeal, Inflammatory, or Edematous Changes

Universal employment of gargling as a therapeutic adjunct has not been challenged. No study correlates beneficial response and anatomic location. Various studies report on gargles containing a variety of specific medications for the topical treatment of peritonsillar abscess, chronic tonsillitis, etc. Many physicians treating all varieties of upper respiratory infections with a chief complaint of sore throat and/or laryngitis prescribe gargles. This study radiographically localizes radiopaque material during gargling to ascertain more accurately the effective anatomic area bathed by a gargled solution and describes some important side effects. Results reveal that gargling is not efficacious below the level of the posterior tonsiilar pillars. The gargled solution does not bathe the vocal cords, thereby offering no beneficial effect and may in fact be injurious.