Efficacy of Nebulized Ketamine versus Ketamine-Clonidine in Reducing Post-Operative Sore Throat: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Deepak Salhan, Hemani Ahuja
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) September 19, 2025 DOI: 10.21275/sr25916193548 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia |
| Interventions | Ketamine nebulization Saline nebulization |
| Dose | Ketamine 50 mg, Clonidine 50 µg |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Nebulized ketamine-clonidine combination reduced postoperative sore throat incidence to 12.5% at 24 hours, compared to 47.5% with ketamine alone and 67.5% with saline. |
Abstract
Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication after general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation.Various pharmacological interventions, including ketamine nebulization, have been studied for their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of POST.Aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of nebulized ketamine alone versus a ketamine-clonidine combination in preventing postoperative sore throat.Methods: A total of 120 patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to three groups: Group S (saline nebulization, 4 mL), Group K (ketamine nebulization, 50 mg in 4 mL saline), and Group KC (ketamine 50 mg + clonidine 50 g in 4 mL saline).The incidence and severity of sore throat were assessed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours post-extubation.Results: The incidence of POST was significantly lower in Group KC compared to Group K and Group S at all-time intervals.At 24 hours, POST incidence was 12.5% in Group KC, 47.5% in Group K, and 67.5% in Group S. The severity of sore throat was also reduced in the KC group.Conclusion: Nebulization with a combination of ketamine and clonidine significantly reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat compared to ketamine alone or saline.This combination therapy could be a valuable option for improving postoperative comfort in patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subanesthetic Effects of the Noncompetitive NMDA Antagonist, Ketamine, in Humans Healthy human subjects recruited from the community | 1994 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 19 |
| Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial Patients with treatment-resistant major depression experiencing a major depressive episode | 2013 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
| Remifentanil-induced Postoperative Hyperalgesia and Its Prevention with Small-dose Ketamine Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery | 2005 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 75 |
| Efficacy of Intravenous Ketamine for Treatment of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Patients with chronic PTSD related to a range of trauma exposures | 2014 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Ketamine-Induced Deficits in Auditory and Visual Context-Dependent Processing in Healthy Volunteers Healthy volunteers | 2000 | Single-blind placebo-controlled study | n = 20 |