Dexmedetomidine for awake craniotomy without laryngeal mask

OBJETIVE: This paper reports the use of dexmedetomidine in three epileptic patients with cavernous angiomas that underwent awake surgery in order to map their speech areas. METHOD:Loading dose of dexmedetomidine varied from 1 mug/Kg/h to 3 mug/Kg/h over 20 minutes and maintenance dose from 0.4 mug/Kg/h to 0,8 mug/Kg/h. RESULTS: There was no occurrence of hemodynamic instability, convulsions or respiratory depression. Patients tolerated well the procedure. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine was useful for awake craniotomy as it decreased patients’ level of consciousness but did not produce agitation. Laryngeal mask was not necessary to keep air ventilation.