A team of collaborators from the breast surgery, integrative medi-
cine and anesthesia departments here at MD Anderson Cancer Center
implemented a hypnosedation program for patients undergoing seg-
mental mastectomies with sentinel node biopsy and intraoperative
lymph node mapping.
Candidates for hypnosedation are assessed on a case-by-case basis,
but patients who respond positively to the idea and are open to trying it
generally have the right temperament and attitude to be successfully
hypnotized. Patients who agree to be hypnotized meet with a hyp-
notherapist before scheduled procedures to practice entering a hypnot-
ic state and learn about what to expect during the process.
How does it work?
On the day of surgery, after the patient is positioned on the OR table,
the surgical team works quietly and often with the lights dimmed to
create a relaxed environment. The hypnotherapist sits close to the
patient's ear and uses a soothing voice to lead them through guided
imagery hypnosis. Patients are asked to recall places where they felt
at ease (the beach or a relative's house) and to focus on specific
details (the scratch of sand on their feet or the smell of grandmom's
cookies baking in the oven). They breathe deeply, feeling each breath
at it enters and leaves their body. It generally takes only a few minutes
for the hypnotherapist to hypnotize the patient.
During surgery, the hypnotherapist maintains the patient in a con-
scious, but disassociated state. You likely experience this sensation
during your morning commute. Thoughts enter and leave your con-
sciousness as you drive the familiar route and when you arrive at
work, you likely don't remember maneuvering the car during every
second of the trip. You were conscious, but not fully aware of what
was going on around you.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 1
