title: Dexmedetomidine infusion for sedation during fiberoptic intubation: a report of three cases.
abstract: We report three patients undergoing cervical spine surgery who required awake fiberoptic intubation, and in whom sedation was provided using a dexmedetomidine infusion. Dexmedetomidine was used to provide a moderate level of sedation without causing respiratory distress or hemodynamic instability during fiberoptic intubation. Conditions for intubation were acceptable in all three patients after co-administration of topical anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine may serve as a useful adjunct for this procedure. The anesthetic management and anesthetic implications of using dexmedetomidine infusions for awake fiberoptic intubation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. grant021@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Dara S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Breslin
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: MacLeod
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003243:Consciousness; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine