Epidural anesthesia with intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation in the successful anesthetic management of MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of early prostatic cancer.

We report on five patients who underwent MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of prostatic cancer under epidural anesthesia with intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation. This pioneering procedure requires an immobile therapeutic field with adequate sedation and analgesia provided to the patients. Duration of the procedure is longer compared to diagnostic MRI scans. In combination with epidural anesthesia, dexmedetomidine was used to provide moderate levels of sedation without causing respiratory depression or hemodynamic instability, and was useful in preventing shivering. The pharmacological properties of dexmedetomidine contribute to make this technique safe and effective.