MAC stands for Monitored Anesthesia Care. With this type of anesthesia, patients can expect to become sleepy from medications they receive through an intravenous catheter (IV). The patient may not remember much of what happens in the operating room. Breathing tubes are not required as patients continue to breathe without assistance. Supplemental oxygen is usually given through a plastic facemask or nasal prongs. Surgeons often inject medication to numb the area they are operating on so that the patient will not experience any pain. The amount of sedation can be adjusted to the patient’s level of comfort.

BENEFITS: By using MAC anesthesia, the patient can avoid the side effects of general anesthesia. Patients are usually able to leave the recovery room and return home much sooner.
 

This type of anesthesia involves a complete loss of consciousness. Monitors for the heart (EKG), oxygenation (pulse oximeter), blood pressure and temperature are used. Supplemental oxygen is given through a facemask. Medications are then given through an intravenous catheter to bring about unconsciousness in the patient. After ensuring unconsciousness, a breathing tube is usually inserted in the mouth. Upon awakening from general anesthesia, the anesthetic gases are turned off and the breathing tube is removed as soon as the patients is breathing on his/her own, and begins to respond.

BENEFITS: General anesthesia is sometimes the only option available for major operations. This option often provides the best operating conditions for the surgeon. The patient will be completely unconscious and unaware of anything happening in the operating room.
 

This type of anesthesia involves injecting medication to numb the nerves of the spinal canal. This results in numbness of the legs, abdomen, and occasionally the chest area, as well as paralysis of the muscles in these areas. The numbness usually lasts about two to four hours. The time period can vary from person to person, and will also depend on how much, and what kind of medication is given. The patient will feel warmth or a pins and needles sensation in the legs as the nerves are blocked. Within a few minutes there will be loss of feeling to cold and sharp objects. Feelings of light touch and pressure may remain throughout the procedure, and is normal. The patient will be tested for loss of sensation to pain prior to starting the procedure.

BENEFITS: Spinal anesthesia works well in providing good pain control for surgery. Pregnant patients will benefit, as there is minimal medication to interact with the fetus.
 

With this type of anesthesia, the surgeon injects medication into the area where surgery will be performed, numbing the nerves that provide feeling to the site, and therefore blocking the feeling of pain.

BENEFITS: With local anesthesia, the patients can avoid the side effects of general anesthesia and can go home shortly after the procedure.