OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of dexmedetomidine associated with different anesthetic techniques in patients who required interventional procedures in the airway under rigid bronchoscopy at the Cardioinfantil Foundation, during the years 2010 - 2018. METHODS: Case series study, the medical records and anesthesia records were reviewed where the anesthetic techniques performed, their clinical results and safety profile were recorded. RESULTS: 18 patients scheduled for tracheal dilation, placement and / or stent removal in the airway under rigid bronchoscopy were selected. Dexmedetomidine associated with 4 anesthetic techniques was used: halogenated and intravenous anesthesia single dose; single dose intravenous anesthesia; intravenous infusion anesthesia; glossopharyngeal and transtracheal block. In the techniques in which dexmedetomidine was associated with halogenated or intravenous anesthesia, 80% of the cases maintained spontaneous ventilation, 25% presented perioperative hypoxemia and one case presented intraoperative cardiorespiratory arrest. In the dexmedetomidine technique associated with glossopharyngeal and transtracheal block or intravenous anesthesia in infusion, the saturation of 100% of the cases remained between 95-100%, none presented hypoxemia and all maintained spontaneous ventilation during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine as the main hypnotic associated with glossopharyngeal and transtracheal block in the airway and / or intravenous anesthesia provided moderate levels of sedation, maintenance of spontaneous ventilation without hemodynamic instability was achieved in most cases.
