One case with dexmedetomidine-induced stuporous state in epileptic patient undergoing abdominal surgery

A 56-year-old epileptic patient underwent right hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, and sufentanil, rocuronium, and dexmedetomidine infusions. After the operation and confirmation of neuromuscular recovery, the patient woke from anesthesia within 15 min and successfully extubated. After the vital signs of patient were stable, the patient was transported to post anesthesia care unit (PACU). 6 h after the surgery, he fell into a stuporous state for lasting 14 h and EEG showed no epileptiform discharges. Stupor did re-occur in 2 days after operation. 36 hours after operation, all signs of the stuporous state resolved spontaneously. Apparent dexmedetomidine-induced stuporous state has not been reported in the human literature