Use of dexmedetomidine in awake craniotomy in adolescents: report of two cases.

Awake craniotomy is a key tool in resection of lesions near critical functional regions, particularly the speech area. Craniotomy with an awake portion for mapping may be performed in carefully selected adolescents and preteenaged children. A number of different regimens may be used for sedation and anesthesia in these cases. We describe two adolescent patients in whom awake craniotomy was performed using an intravenous anesthesia technique with dexmedetomidine and without need for airway instrumentation.