The Role of Dexmedetomidine in Burn Care: Sedation, Analgesia, and Beyond

Burn injuries are characterized by intense nociceptive pain, often requiring effective analgesia and sedation during medical interventions and hospital stays.

We conducted a scoping review to outline the existing literature on dexmedetomidine use in burn patients. Relevant sources were identified through broad searches of five databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library), and included materials were reviewed to summarize common themes and reported practices.

Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist, serves as a promising sedative in this context. Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of norepinephrine release, thereby modulating pain pathways and inducing a state of sedation without significant respiratory depression. Our review identified that dexmedetomidine is effective not only for ongoing sedation during hospitalization but also for acute short-term sedation during wound dressing changes, which can be particularly challenging for burn patients.

While some studies have noted potential adverse effects, such as respiratory depression and hemodynamic instability, the majority of the literature supports its safety and efficacy in critically ill burn patients. However, there is limited data on its effects on fluid resuscitation, with initial findings indicating a possible need for increased fluid to address hemodynamic changes. Furthermore, research on its impact on wound healing is scarce, emphasizing the need for further studies to better understand its overall role in burn treatment.