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Which procedures can use conscious sedation instead of general anesthesia?
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anesthetic
How anesthesia works.
Conscious sedation, also referred to as procedural sedation, is a state of drowsiness or semiconsciousness achieved by administering smaller doses of certain drugs typically used for general anesthesia.1
This method is commonly utilized for outpatient diagnostic or minor surgical procedures, including:
- Dental procedures1
- Laceration repair1
- Endoscopy1
During these procedures, clinicians may use fast, short-acting agents such as propofol, midazolam, or ketamine, sometimes in combination with an opioid analgesic like fentanyl to manage pain.1