Transmucosal Dexmedetomidine for Anxiety, Agitation, and Procedural Sedation in Vulnerable Patient Populations: A Scoping Review Protocol

This scoping review maps current evidence on transmucosal dexmedetomidine for anxiolysis, agitation management, and procedural sedation in outpatient and ambulatory surgery settings. The goals are to describe evidence trends (2014-2026), identify dosing and timing patterns and safety practices, synthesize considerations for vulnerable patient populations, and translate evidence into workflow strategies aligned with out-of-office and ambulatory anesthesia practice.