Anesthesia is a medical treatment that keeps you from feeling pain and sensation during procedures or surgery. The medications used to block pain are called anesthetics.
Before surgery, you will meet with a physician anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist if you are receiving monitored anesthesia care (MAC). The anesthesiologist will review your medical condition and history prior to administering anesthesia.
There are two types of anesthesia that are appropriate for outpatient procedures where a patient is expected to go home after the anesthesia has completely worn off: local anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
What is local anesthesia?
Local anesthesia is an anesthetic agent given to numb a small section of the body temporarily. A patient remains conscious during a local anesthetic. For minor surgery, a local anesthetic can be administered via injection to the site.
What is monitored anesthesia care (MAC)?
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), also known as conscious sedation or twilight sleep, is a type of sedation that is administered through an IV to make a patient sleepy and calm during a procedure. The patient is typically awake but groggy and is able to follow instructions as needed.