INTRAVENOUS SEDATION
Jaw Face Clinic , Oral
and Maxillofacial Surgery , Chelsfield Park Hospital.
Please note :this is not general anaesthesia. It is simply a method of relaxing you.
Some of the surgical
procedures we carry out such as difficult impacted wisdom teeth or for dental implants are time consuming. Patients find
it more pleasant if during these procedure they are sedated.
Before the beginning of the operation , the blood
pressure is taken by one of the nurses
present . Then a monitoring device is placed on a finger. Through a vein on the back of the hand or
front of the elbow, medication (
Midazolam ) is given which has an effect similar to drinking
spirits quickly.
When sedation has been achieved, the area of surgery is made numb and surgery
is carried out. During this period monitoring equipment is used to
assess pulse and breathing . If the oxygenation of blood is reduced through slow
breathing , you may be asked to take a few deep breaths .
Most of the effect of the sedation wears off in half an hour, but patients are
unsteady on their feet and often cannot remember the
surgery. Hence most of the information and verbal instructions are given to the accompanying
adult.
When you attend our clinic ,you
can have a light breakfast or lunch , and
attend the hospital accompanied by a responsible adult. ( please note some anaesthetists insist that you are fasted, so do not consider this as
a general rule )
Following
surgery, you will be kept in the clinic or recovery area until the sedation
has mostly worn off.
-
You
should be taken home by taxi, or private car, under
the care of the accompanying adult to
rest further .
-
Do not take other sedating medicines or alcohol .
-
If you have had intravenous
sedation you may be like a drunk person .You must not drive a car, operate machinery , sign documents or make other
important decisions for at
least 48 hours.
