Twilight Anesthesia / Conscious Sedation

Breast Augmentation Surgery Anesthesia

All About Twilight Anesthesia / Conscious Sedation

If you have twilight anesthesia (conscious sedation), you will be "asleep", but not unconscious, as with general anesthesia. Whether or not you have twilight will depend on the type and length of the surgery. Generally, this type of anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist or a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Some of the same drugs that are used for general anesthesia are used for twilight, except in smaller doses. These drugs can be administered via gases, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or intravenously, with drugs such as Ketamine and Versed. They provide a light sleep, anxiety relief, and amnesia (loss of any memories of surgery). It's important to remember that twilight sleep alone is not used to provide relief from surgical pain, therefore, it is always given in conjunction with a local or regional anesthetic. Breathing tubes (ETT or LMA) are not generally used for this type of anesthesia.

Twilight offers a limited recovery period, and is usually associated with less nausea and vomiting then general anesthesia.

Many surgeons who will give you a Valium (or similar medication) to take prior to being put under sedation to help relax you.

 

 

Related links

American Board of Anesthesiology
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Anesthesia Patient Safety
Researching your plastic surgeon