Associate Professor Dhanani and his team explore a new pain relief method, nebulised dexmedetomidine, for burn patients. Dexmedetomidine, delivered as a mist, may offer better pain control with fewer complications than the current approach.

Patients with burns often undergo painful procedures, like dressing changes, and they need effective pain relief strategies. The usual method to relief pain in this scenario (intravenous ketamine and midazolam) can be insufficient and cause problems. Nebulised dexmedetomidine is a unique, non-invasive drug that may provide better pain control without major side effects. This study aims to assess its effectiveness and safety compared to the standard method.

Preliminary feedback from patients suggests that nebulised dexmedetomidine is seen as a ‘game changer’. If proven effective and safe in the study, it could lead to a larger trial for improving pain management in burn patients. Moreover, the findings may be applied to other medical scenarios, like postoperative care, trauma, emergency medicine and palliative care. This new approach also has the potential to adapt to different pain levels and management plans, offering a versatile solution for pain relief in various medical settings.