Supraglottic airway devices like the i-gel are increasingly used during short general anaesthesia procedures due to their ease of insertion and reduced hemodynamic disturbance compared to traditional intubation. Propofol, a commonly used induction agent, requires higher doses for effective i-gel placement, potentially leading to hypotension and respiratory depression. To counter this, co-induction with either ketamine or dexmedetomidine has been explored. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of ketamine-propofol versus dexmedetomidine-propofol combinations, focusing on hemodynamic changes, ease of insertion, and recovery profiles.

The study is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded clinical trial involving 78 adult patients undergoing elective short surgical procedures. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A received ketamine (1 mg/kg) with propofol (1.5 mg/kg), and Group B received dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg over 10 minutes) with propofol (1.5 mg/kg). Standard premedication was administered, and insertion of the i-gel was performed following a negative trapezius squeeze test. Variables assessed included jaw relaxation, insertion conditions, hemodynamic parameters, time taken for insertion, number of attempts, need for additional propofol, and Aldrete recovery scores.

The primary outcomes focus on comparing heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation between the two groups, while secondary outcomes include insertion ease, propofol requirement, adverse events, and post-operative recovery scores. The study is expected to clarify which co-induction combination better maintains hemodynamic stability and facilitates smoother i-gel insertion. The findings could guide anaesthetic practices in selecting the optimal sedative combination for safer and more efficient airway management in short-duration surgeries.