SEDATION & PAIN MANAGEMENT
Tauranga OMS uses a range of sedation and anaesthetic options to reduce anxiety and keep you comfortable during all procedures. Both Abi, John and David have a strong interest in advanced intravenous sedation. Sedation offers a pleasant detachment from the procedure. Local anaesthetic is also administered after the induction of sedation to ensure the procedure is pain free.
During your initial consultation one of our surgeons will discuss the available options to you.
Local anaesthetic
Localised areas are made numb and pain free with an injection. Simple and small proceedures can be undertaken with this technique much like a dentist uses it. The numbness usually wears off after a few hours.
Most people who have local anaesthetic only can drive themselves to and from their procedure. This means a support person is not required and the time spent in our recovery room is generally shorter.
Sedation
Sedative drugs relieve anxiety and cause temporary relaxation, but they still allow you to remain conscious and breathe for yourself. Sedatives are often used to help people relax during medical procedures. People often fall asleep while sedated and you will remember very little about the treatment done under sedation.
Sedative drugs don't block the pain signals to the brain, so local or regional anaesthetic is often given as well. Sedation can be swallowed in tablet or liquid form or injected into a vein in your arm via a cannula. The type and dose of sedation given depends on the procedure and how anxious you are about it.
When choosing sedation you will be given specific instructions to follow. It is important that these are adhered to. If these instructions are not followed, your surgery may be cancelled or postponed and you may be charged.
Please note: We do not offer general anesthesia at our rooms. Any surgery requiring general anesthesia is carried out by our surgeons at the public and private hospitals in Tauranga.
Deciding to have Local Anaesthesia or Sedation
Local anaesthesia and sedation are commonly performed and generally safe procedures. In many cases there are clear advantages over general anaesthesia, such as speed of recovery, lower risk of complications and cost.
In order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications.
The best choice will differ for every person. If you have any questions please discuss them with your surgeon.
