Description

Obesity is a major global public health issue. Morbidly obese patients have multiple pathophysiological changes that affect most of the body organs in the form of restrictive lung diseases, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, cardiovascular problems, metabolic syndrome, and fatty infiltration of the liver.

Direct laryngoscopy and intubation are noxious stimuli that are associated with transient, unpredictable, and variable hemodynamic changes. This response occurs within 30 seconds after intubation and lasts less than 10 minutes. The consequences of laryngoscopy and intubation may precipitate ischemia, arrhythmias, cerebrovascular stroke, pulmonary oedema, and an increase in the intracranial pressure in the vulnerable group.

Dexmedetomidine is an α2 adrenergic agonist that has been proven to attenuate the hemodynamic response to intubation and pneumoperitoneum, along with a dose-sparing effect on opioids and propofol. It has been used in multiple routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, oral, nasal, and intrathecal routes. Inhalation of the nebulized drug is non-invasive and associated with high bioavailability. Nebulized dexmedetomidine may offer an attractive alternative to both intravenous and intranasal routes of administration, as drug deposition following nebulization occurs over the nasal, buccal, and respiratory mucosa.