What are the alternatives to sedation?
In some patients sedation is not feasible for various reasons. This may be due to pregnancy or at the patient’s request. Many procedures, which are performed under sedation, can also be performed under regional anesthesia only.
For dental treatment or gastroscopy, sedation is only one way to make the procedure anxiety-free and stress-free for the patient, but not a necessity. If necessary, such as keeping still in the MRI, general anesthesia can replace sedation. In contrast to sedation, general anesthesia means that the affected person has to be ventilated and a continuous control of the circulation is necessary.In addition to drug sedation, hypnosis or behavioral therapy can also be used during surgery.