Deep Brain Stimulation Utilizing Dexmedetomidine: A Clinical Report from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Abstract

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an increasingly utilized technique to treat symptoms of neurological movement disorders, most commonly, Parkinson’s Disease. Patients and surgeons alike appreciate the minimally invasive nature of this procedure, as well as its reversibility. As these surgeries are being performed more often, it is becoming increasingly important to optimize our anesthetic management during these cases. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the DBS procedures that have been performed at our institution utilizing monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) via dexmedetomidine infusion to report on the frequency and type of perioperative complications as well as to assess the effectiveness of this technique. Results: A total of 150 patients and 174 lead placements were included in this study. Dexmedetomidine was the sole anaesthetic used in 85.6% of cases. The remaining cases used a combination of dexmedetomidine and adjuvant agents. A total of one perioperative complication was found in our series, resulting in a total complication rate percentage per patient of 0.6%.Conclusions: We found very few perioperative complications associated with the use of dexmedetomidine during these challenging cases. With its anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic properties coupled with preservation of respiration and a short half-life, dexmedetomidine has ideal properties for DBS procedures.