Purpose of review: This article will review current evidence related to the use of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant for regional anesthesia.
Recent findings: Adjuvants, frequently used during regional anesthesia, act synergistically with local anesthetics thus enhancing the quality of regional anesthesia while minimizing adverse effects. These adjuvants may be administered via different routes including topical, perineural, neuraxial, and systemic. Recent studies indicate that dexmedetomidine prolongs the duration of intravenous regional anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, and spinal analgesia. Controversy regarding potential neurotoxicity of perineural dexmedetomidine in patients with diabetic neuropathy requires further evaluation.
Keywords: Adjuvants for regional anesthesia; Dexmedetomidine adverse effects; Dexmedetomidine safety and efficacy; Intrathecal dexmedetomidine; Perineural dexmedetomidine.