Dexmedetomidine as rescue drug during awake craniotomy for cortical motor mapping and tumor resection.

Dexmedetomidine, approved for providing sedation in the critical care environment, is also used during awake craniotomies to facilitate procedures such as cortical mapping. Herein, we describe the use of dexmedetomidine as a rescue drug during awake craniotomy avoiding conversion to general anesthesia, thus allowing completion of cortical mapping.