Dexmedetomidine as sole agent for awake fiberoptic intubation in a patient with local anesthetic allergy.

A series of case reports acknowledges the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as a sole sedative for awake intubations in managing a critical airway. However, most case reports documented in the literature used topicalization of the oropharynx either via nebulized lidocaine or the spray-as-you-go technique with either 2% or 4% lidocaine spray to achieve successful intubation. The following case report presents an intensive care unit (ICU) patient with a critical airway who had a true documented allergy to local anesthetics.