faster discharges.
Anecdotally, we've
noticed a reduction in
the amount of intra-
operative and post-operative opioids we administer, perhaps in part
because of the targeted and incremental injections of local anesthet-
ics. The association between hypnosedation and reduced opioid use
demands further study before we can claim a definitive link.
Ideal for minor procedures
Will hypnosedation ever replace general anesthesia as the primary
means of sedating patients for surgery? Absolutely not. But the
approach is feasible for some minor surgeries, preferred by some
patients and might be the best option for individuals with comorbidi-
ties that increase the risk of using general anesthetics.
The feedback from patients who have been hypnotized during sur-
gery has been overwhelmingly positive and some surgeons have even
approached our multidisciplinary team unprompted to let us know
some of their patients with severe pulmonary or cardiac issues have
agreed to receive the alternative form of sedation. With patients and
surgeons becoming more receptive to the idea, hypnosedation is devel-
oping into a practice worth pursuing.
OSM
Dr. Rebello (erebello@mdanderson.org) is an associate professor in the depart-
ment of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at the University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
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 3
The feedback from patients who have
been hypnotized during surgery has
been overwhelmingly positive.
