Procedures

Anesthesia

Often, due to the difficulty level of the procedure, or because of fear or apprehension of the patient, some form of sedation is recommended. If a lighter level of sedation is required, Nitrous Oxide (or laughing gas) may be all that is required. Nitrous Oxide will help alleviate anxiety, which is all that is necessary in many cases, but a local anesthetic is still required, and the patient is still completely awake for the procedure.

If a deeper level of sedation is required, an Intravenous Sedation is usually the best option. This involves placement of a small intravenous line (usually in the forearm), and administration of medications which will allow the patient to be asleep for their procedure, with no recollection of any portion of the surgery. Although this type of sedation is different from a full general anesthetic in a hospital operating room setting (which usually requires breathing tubes, respirators, gaseous anesthetics, etc.), the patient is still monitored in the same fashion, in order to provide a smooth, safe, and comfortable anesthetic experience. Dr. Digney has undergone extensive training in Anesthesiology and Emergency Medicine, and is fully trained and licensed to administer this type of anesthetic, and has been performing sedations of this type for over 15 years.