What pain does one feel in twilight sleep?
The sedative drugs used in twilight sleep anaesthesia are not painkillers. Therefore, in addition to twilight sleep anaesthesia, regional or local anaesthesia is always used. If these local anaesthetics do not sit properly or the dose is not sufficient, the pain can be felt. Pain that is independent of the area of intervention can also be perceived.
When can you smoke again?
Since sobriety is necessary in the time before the procedure, which includes smoking, many affected persons want to smoke again immediately after the procedure. As long as the affected person does not go out alone, but is under the supervision of a relative or nurse, there are no contraindications. In dental surgery, smoking may be contraindicated until the sutures are removed. However, this has nothing to do with twilight sleep anaesthesia, but is necessary because of wound healing.
Alternatives to twilight sleep
In some patients, twilight sleep anesthesia is not feasible for various reasons. This may be due to pregnancy or at the patient’s request. Many operations, which are performed under twilight sleep anaesthesia, can also be performed under regional anaesthesia only.
For dental treatments or gastroscopy, sedation is only one way to make the procedure anxiety-free and stress-free for the patient, but it is not a necessity. If necessary, such as keeping still during an MRI, general anesthesia can replace sedation. In contrast to sedation, general anaesthesia means that the affected person has to be ventilated and a continuous control of the circulation is necessary. In addition to sedation with medication, hypnosis or behavioural therapy can also be used during surgery.
