Objective The present work investigates the effect of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on the early recovery quality of patients undergoing intracranial aneurysms interventional surgery. Methods Sixty patients, aged 30‒60 years, with body mass index (BMI) of 18.5‒28.0 kg/m², of American Statistical Association (ASA) physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective intracranial aneurysms interventional surgery were divided into 2 groups (n=30), according to random number table method： Dex group (group D) and remifentanil group (group R). Patients in group D received maintenance of anesthesia with 2%‒3% sevoflurane inhalation combined with Dex hydrochloride given by continuous infusion (loading dose using 0.1 µg·kg−1·min−1, maintenance does using 0.5 µg·kg−1·h−1. Patients in group R received maintenance of anesthesia with 2%‒3% sevoflurane inhalation combined with remifentanil given by continuous infusion (0.2‒0.3 µg·kg−1·min−1). All patients were administered intermittently with atracurium to maintain muscle relaxation during operation. Cough scores were assessed by Quartile Choking Score during extubation. Quality of recovery was assessed using the 9‑item Quality of Recovery Score (QoR‑9) scoring system performed before anesthesia induction (T0), 30 min after extubation (T1) and 60 min after extubation (T2). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were also recorded at the time points of T0, T1 and T2. Results Compared with group R, the cough scores were significantly decreased in group D (P<0.05), heart rate and MAP decreased, while QoR‑9 scores increased at the time point of T1 and T2 (P<0.05). Compared with T0, QoR‑9 scores decreased at the time point of T1, and MAP decreased at the time point of T1 and T2, while heart rate was increased at the time point of T1 and decreased at the time point of T2 (P<0.05). Conclusions Dex can effectively inhibit agitation during the recovery period of general anesthia and improve postoperative quality of recovery for the patients undergoing intracranial aneurysms interventional surgery.