According to the findings of a study published in BMC Anesthesiology, the combined usage of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine and 0.8% ropivacaine (40 mg) for surface anaesthesia prior to intubation was safe and led to a considerable reduction in the occurrence and severity of postoperative sore throat, anesthetic drug needs, and intraoperative haemodynamic fluctuations. In this prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, Jingyi Niu et al. sought to find out if administration of dexmedetomidine plus ropivacaine minimizes the severity and occurrence of postoperative sore throat.

Overall, 200 people with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II were randomized into 4 groups: (i) Group D: Given dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg), (ii) Group R: Received 0.8% ropivacaine (40 mg), (iii) Group DR: Received combination of dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg) and 0.8% ropivacaine (40 mg), and (iv) Group S: Received normal saline prior to endotracheal intubation.

The key endpoints were the occurrence and grade of sore throat and hoarseness at two hours and twenty-four hours after surgery. At each time point, recording of modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale results was done. Intrasurgery need of anaesthetic agents, intrasurgery haemodynamic fluctuations, and noxious reactions during and after operation were the secondary outcomes ascertained.

Recording of patients' vital signs prior to induction, prior to superficial anaesthesia, following superficial anaesthesia, prior to intubation, following intubation, and 1 minute following intubation was done. The usage of anaesthetics and the occurrence of adverse effects were also monitored. The occurrence and severity of sore throat were considerably reduced in Group DR when compared to the other three groups 2 hours post-surgery.

However, they were only considerably reduced in Group DR vs. the control group 24 hours post-surgery. In comparison with Group D and Group S, Group DR displayed more stable haemodynamics during endotracheal intubation. Compared to other study groups, the doses of propofol and remifentanil were considerably reduced in Group DR.

Combination of dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine also minimized anesthetic drug needs and intraoperative haemodynamic fluctuations and did not elicit any adverse effects. Thus, the use of dexmedetomidine along with ropivacaine is beneficial for the management of postoperative sore throat following intubation under general anaesthesia.