High dose Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine for Managing Difficult Pediatric Airways

Dexmedetomidine is a useful drug to provide sedation and maintain spontaneous ventilation. Its use in pediatrics has increased over the last decade. Despite its utility as a cooperative sedative during difficult airway management in the adult population, this use in pediatrics is often not possible. As a result we present 3 cases of difficult pediatric airways that were secured using high dose dexmedetomidine and supplemental ketamine as sole agents. The patients achieved an appropriate depth of anesthesia, maintained hemodynamic stability and were able to breathe spontaneously during the airway manipulation.