Effect of Propofol Temperature (4°C Vs Room Temperature) on Attenuation of Injection Pain Following Pretreatment with Dexmedetomidine

Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent known for its rapid onset and smooth recovery profile. However, pain on injection is a common side effect that can cause significant discomfort for patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of propofol temperature and dexmedetomidine pretreatment on injection pain. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 120 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either propofol at 4°C or room temperature, with dexmedetomidine pretreatment in both groups. Pain was assessed using a 4-point verbal rating scale. The cold propofol group had significantly lower pain scores compared to the room temperature group (p=0.001), with 40% reporting no pain versus 23.3% in the room temperature group. Hemodynamic parameters remained stable and were similar between groups. Administering propofol at 4°C with dexmedetomidine pretreatment appears to be an effective method for reducing injection pain without compromising safety