What Are the Uses of Twilight Anesthesia?

Physicians may administer twilight anesthesia prior to certain medical procedures as a way of relaxing patients. Patients may prefer combining regional or local anesthetics with twilight anesthesia for minor surgical procedures. Replacing general anesthetics with this form of sedation generally enables patients a faster recovery and minimizes the usual adverse effects that include nausea and vomiting. For the safety of the patient, physicians and staff must be properly trained and certified in the use of twilight anesthesia.

Twilight anesthesia may be administered as oral or intravenous medications or inhalation gases. Physicians frequently use general anesthetic medications, in smaller doses for the milder form of sedation. Under this type of analgesia/sedation, patients remain awake, but feel extremely sleepy. Patients typically retain the capacity to respond to commands, but may require light stimulation. Depending on the level of sedation, patients may or may not recall the procedure, or the events immediately following treatment.

Patients commonly receive twilight anesthesia before undergoing gastroenterological procedures. The medications used typically induce relaxation and mild sedation before endoscopic procedures involving the upper gastrointestinal tract or examination of the bowel. Dental patients may opt for this method of relaxation in addition to local nerve blocking agents. The medication generally alleviates anxiety and stress patients may experience during extractions or other dental procedures. Relaxed patients enable dentists to provide treatment with greater ease and efficiency.

Chiropractic physicians normally administer sedation to patients before performing manipulation under anesthesia, or MUA treatments. This procedure typically involves a team of physicians who passively stretch or apply kinesthetic maneuvers to various parts of the body. The treatments may be used to break up adhesions and scar tissue or remedy bulging, herniated discs. The muscular relaxation accompanying twilight anesthesia allows physicians to effectively realign the spine. Performed in a hospital setting, anesthesiologists generally monitor patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.

Bunion or heel spur removal and plantar fascia ligament release are minor surgical procedures where patients may elect the use of twilight anesthesia. Podiatrists may perform the procedures in specially equipped office environs or in traditional hospital settings. Some cardiac surgeons use mild sedation with local anesthetics when implanting pacemaker devices. Patients may converse with physicians during the procedure, informing staff of comfort levels, while trained professionals monitor vital signs.

Cosmetic procedures involving breast augmentation, neck lifts, or otoplasty are some of the surgical procedures where patients may choose twilight anesthesia over general anesthetics. Surgeons may also perform mid-facelifts, which generally enhance cheek thickness and decrease nasolabial folds, using mild sedation. Individuals undergoing hair transplantation may also opt for mild sedation combined with local anesthetics.