Intranasal Dexmedetomidine as a rescue strategy for established postoperative delirium following loss of intravenous access: a case report - Takeaways - MDSpire

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine as a rescue strategy for established postoperative delirium following loss of intravenous access: a case report

  • By

  • Yingao Peng

  • Mingjin Liu

  • Jiafang Wang

  • July 7, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    A 70-year-old man developed postoperative delirium (POD) after urologic surgery and self-removed his IV catheter.

  • 2

    Intranasal dexmedetomidine was administered in a stepwise titration protocol, totaling 100 μg, to manage the patient's agitation.

  • 3

    The patient transitioned from agitation to calm and sustained sleep within 1 hour of receiving intranasal dexmedetomidine.

  • 4

    Mild bradycardia was the only hemodynamic alteration observed, with no clinically significant respiratory depression.

  • 5

    The patient's mental status improved by postoperative day 2, and he was discharged without delirium on postoperative day 4.

Original Source(s)

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine as a rescue strategy for established postoperative delirium following loss of intravenous access: a case report

  • by Yingao Peng, Mingjin Liu, Jiafang Wang

  • July 7, 2026

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