Journal of Medical Cases, ISSN 1923-4155 print, 1923-4163 online, Open Access
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Case Report

Volume 000, Number 000, October 2025, pages 000-000

Dexmedetomidine to Treat Hiccups During Anesthetic Care in an Adolescent Female

Table

Table 1. Previous Reports of Dexmedetomidine to Treat Hiccups
 
Author and referencePatient demographics and dexmedetomidine doseClinical summary
ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists; ETCO2: end-tidal carbon dioxide; LMA: laryngeal mask airway; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.
Khatri et al [10]A 30-year-old woman, 50 µg over 10 minHealthy patient for breast fibroadenoma excision. Hiccups began 20 min after the induction of anesthesia and LMA placement. Dexmedetomidine was administered after bolus doses of propofol and a dose of atropine were unsuccessful. The hiccups resolved successfully and the procedure was completed without issues.
Koteswara et al [13]A 38-year-old woman, 50 µg over 10 minASA physical status 2 patient with well-controlled hypertension to the operating room for breast fibroadenoma excision. Hiccups began 30 min after the induction of anesthesia and LMA placement. Hiccups continued for 5 min despite propofol boluses (n = 5). Dexmedetomidine was administered and the hiccups stopped. The procedure was completed without further issue.
El-Tahan et al [14]A 2-year-old boy, 1 µg/kg over 10 min followed by infusion at 0.3 - 0.5 µg/kg/hCochlear implantation for sensorineural hearing loss. Anesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation. Hiccups that began during temporal bone drilling resulted in head movement that impeded safe continuation of the procedure. Hiccups did not unresolve after increased sevoflurane concentration, bolus and increased infusion rate of fentanyl, gastric decompression, decreased ETCO2, and lidocaine administration. Hiccups resolved after dexmedetomidine.
Krishnakumar et al [15]A 3-year-old boy, 1 µg/kg over 10 min followed by infusion at 0.5 µg/kg/hPatient with history of seizures, sedated with propofol for an MRI. Hiccups began shortly after induction and were not affected by either propofol bolus or increased propofol infusion rate. Hiccups stopped after the dexmedetomidine bolus (administered over 10 min). The procedure was completed without further complication.