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Dexmedetomidine infusion as perioperative adjuvant in a dog undergoing craniotomy
Author(s) -
Tayari Hamaseh,
Bell Andrew
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
veterinary record case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.165
H-Index - 4
ISSN - 2052-6121
DOI - 10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000727
Subject(s) - dexmedetomidine , medicine , anesthesia , perioperative , craniotomy , remifentanil , intracranial pressure , cerebral perfusion pressure , sedation , propofol , cerebral blood flow
A 10‐year‐old castrated boxer with behavioural change due to a cerebellar meningioma was presented for intracranial surgery. As intracranial structures are virtually incompressible, any volume‐occupying lesions such as meningiomas might raise intracranial pressure compromising cerebral perfusion. To avoid severe neuronal damage, maintaining and optimising the delicate balance between intracranial pressure and perfusion is mandatory. Dexmedetomidine, an α2‐adrenoreceptor agonist, is gaining consensus in human neuroanaesthesia as an adjuvant in patients undergoing craniotomy. Unlike short‐acting opioids, dexmedetomidine does not cause respiratory depression while having analgesic and neuroprotective properties; it provides a significant reduction of perioperative volatile anaesthetic and opioid requirements ensuring haemodynamic stability and smooth recoveries. Due to this dog’s aggressive behaviour and a shortage of remifentanil, dexmedetomidine infusion was chosen as part of the perioperative management of this patient.