TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
Sedation
There are 3 defined levels of sedation: mild, moderate, or deep sedation. Twilight anesthesia is a commonly used phrase used to describe the spectrum of sedation. An anesthesiologist can use a variety of medications to achieve the level of consciousness that is required for a particular surgery.
Minimal Sedation (Anxiolysis) is a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and physical coordination may be impaired, airway reflexes, and ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected.
Moderate Sedation (“Conscious Sedation”) is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patient respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile sedation. The patient continues to breathe spontaneously.
Deep Sedation / Analgesia is a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation.
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)
MAC describes care by an anesthesiologist that encompasses a wide range of anesthetic depths.
Similar to our stages of sleep at night, anesthesia should be considered a spectrum rather than a static state or static level of consciousness.
MAC does not describe a particular level of consciousness or sedation, rather it describes a specific anesthesia service performed by a qualified anesthesiologist. During MAC, the anesthesiologist can move the patient safely through the spectrum of sedation as the procedure requires. The anesthesiologist can also rescue the patient from deeper levels of sedation, or in rare cases, convert to general anesthesia.
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia describes a state of controlled unconsciousness that allows a patient to undergo a painful procedure comfortably.
During General anesthesia, patients are unresponsive to both verbal and noxious stimuli.
An anesthesiologist may choose to utilize an airway device such as an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) to assist the patient’s breathing during the procedure.
A Laryngeal mask airway or LMA, is another, less invasive airway device that is commonly used to assist breathing.
The use of a breathing device does not define general anesthesia. It is a tool that is used, when necessary, to aid in the overall safety of the anesthetic experience.
General anesthesia is maintained with a variety of anesthetic agents, including gaseous and IV medications.
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