Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/19/2009

Question
Dr. Levy, I asked a question on April 14th about my husband
who is having having twilight and a local for an inguinal hernia repair. Is twilight considered conscioussedation?
Will they take him into the operating room before they start the conscious sedation and will they put a face mask over his face in there.  He is claustrophobic.
Should we mention this to the anethesiologist My husband became very anxious before his prostate seed implant, he was in a small curtained room hooked up to an IV for almost two hours before they took him to surgery. I read
that some doctors will give their patient a sedative (like a valium)to relax him while he is waiting.  Do you think we should ask the sugeon if he would give my husband one? The surgeon told my husband he wouldn't be unconscious,but he wouldn't care what was going on.  Will his eyes be open
and will he be able to answer questions? Will he feel the
sensations of the surgery being done? Thank you.


Answer
Answers below:

Is twilight considered conscious sedation?

   Yes it is. The terms are interchangeable.

Will they take him into the operating room before they start the conscious sedation and will they put a face mask over his face in there.  He is claustrophobic.

   Usually they give the first medication right before they take him to the room. Once in the room, they will either give him a mask or nasal cannula but he probably won't remember or mind it.

Should we mention this to the anethesiologist My husband became very anxious before his prostate seed implant, he was in a small curtained room hooked up to an IV for almost two hours before they took him to surgery. I read that some doctors will give their patient a sedative (like a valium)to relax him while he is waiting. Do you think we should ask the sugeon if he would give my husband one?  

   Usually they won't give it that far in advance because there is no nurse to monitor the patient if he has a problem. Sometimes they will have you take a Valium the night before or the morning you come in but that is up to the doctor.

The surgeon told my husband he wouldn't be unconscious,but he wouldn't care what was going on.  Will his eyes be open
and will he be able to answer questions?

   He'll probably sleep but if he is aroused, he will be able to open his eyes and answer the question (but probably won't remember any of it).

Will he feel the sensations of the surgery being done?

   He may feel some pulling and tugging but it shouldn't hurt and he won't remember it.


Hope this helps,

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesioogy
UTMB-Galveston