Dexmedetomidine as adjuvant therapy for acute postoperative neuropathic pain crisis.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is a potent α2-adrenergic agonist U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for sedation. While its use as an analgesic has been described in the palliative medicine literature, its use for managing an acute neuropathic pain episode is less well known.

METHODS: Here we describe the use of adjuvant dexmedetomidine in a patient with metastatic sarcoma suffering from an acute postoperative neuropathic pain crisis.

CONCLUSION: Among patients with acute neuropathic pain for whom additional opioids raises respiratory-related concerns, the use of dexmedetomidine should be considered as a viable treatment alternative.