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IV/Monitored Sedation

One common type of pain control is called sedation, which relaxes you and sometimes makes you fall asleep. Sedation, also known as monitored anesthesia care, conscious sedation, or twilight sedation, typically is used for minor surgeries or for shorter, less complex procedures, when an injection of local anesthetic isn’t sufficient but deeper general anesthesia isn’t necessary. These procedures might include some types of biopsies or involve the use of a scope to examine the throat or colon to find and treat medical conditions such as cancer.

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Intravenous (IV) Sedation Uses and Benefits

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recognizes three basic levels of sedation, which are: Minimal: Relaxed but awake and able to follow some directions. Moderate: Drowsy to sleepy and may not remember some or all of the procedure. Deep: Asleep during most of the procedure and likely to remember very little.

Knocked Out, Put Under, Anesthetized and Sedated: Different Types of Anesthesia

Sedation, often referred to as “twilight sedation”, involves administering drugs that make a patient sleepy, relaxed and unfocused. While you are not forced unconscious like with general anesthesia, you may naturally fall asleep due to drowsiness. Sedation does not inhibit your breathing or reflexes and thus doesn’t carry the aspiration risks general anesthesia does. It wears off fairly quickly and thus allows recovery times to be faster.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a type of anesthesia that involves administration of IV sedation while maintaining spontaneous respirations (the patient is fully breathing on their own). Supplemental oxygen may be administered via a nasal cannula (thin plastic prongs that rest just inside the nose) or a clear facemask during MAC. This kind of anesthesia can allow the anesthesiologist and surgeon to communicate with a patient during a procedure, but keep the patient less anxious and more relaxed. MAC is often combined with other types of anesthesia when general anesthesia is not required. This is similar to conscious sedation or “twilight anesthesia”, except that an anesthesiologist is involved and has the capability to utilize more potent sedatives.

Twilight Sedation Guide

Concerned about general anaesthesia? Fortunately, a local anaesthetic with sedation ( 'twilight sedation') can be a safer option.

Anesthesia During Surgery

It often involves a deeper level of sedation than just conscious sedation and is sometimes referred to as “twilight sleep.” Your ability to independently breathe is maintained, although it will likely be supported with supplemental oxygen via a facemask or nasal cannula. It is not uncommon for patients to occasionally have awareness or recall during a MAC.

Anesthesia Facts for Lay People: Types of Anesthesia

Some minor surgical procedures (for example: breast biopsies, eyelid surgery, some hernia surgeries) can be done with the combination of local anesthesia plus intravenous anesthesia sedation... Vigilance by an anesthesiologist during intravenous sedation is also known as Monitored Anesthesia Care, or MAC.