What are the side effects of twilight anesthesia versus general? (Photo)

Question

I am considering a minor rhino procedure (photos below) and I am afraid of general anesthesia, some doctors have recommended twilight anesthesia. I know a lot of major health risks are associated with general anesthesia (including death). I want to know what is safer for a rhino. Thanks

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

The biggest safety difference with GA is that the patient's airway is 'secure' during the surgical procedure. Not the case with 'twilight sedation'. Both modalities are very safe when done by a qualified anesthesia provider for appropriate patients.

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

In general... if you are healthy and have no medical problems general anesthesia is very very safe. In general anesthesia with rhinoplasty....they place a tube in your air way and blow up a ballon to force air into your lungs.... that ballon also serves to keep fluid ...blood... out of your lungs. When you do a rhinoplasty, most people will put a gauze in the back of your throat to block some of the fluid from going into your stomach or around you breathing tube. The combination of the tube and the gauze in the back of your throat drastically decreases the chance of getting fluid into your lungs..."aspiration". When you are in twilight anesthesia...you are in a state where you are relaxed but still can "protect your airway" from secretions and fluids. Meaning you can swallow blood or saliva as needed. The problem is that if your twilight state is too much, your airway can become unprotected and you can have blood and fluid enter your lungs "aspiration" which can cause problems.If you are having a full rhinoplasty with expected bleeding into your nose and throat during the procedure...then I recommend general anesthesia. If you are just have nasal tip work done and your surgeon expects no significant bleeding... then twilight should be fine. Hope this helps a little. I have put a link below from the Mayo clinic on General Anesthesia Risk.

What are the side effects of twilight anesthesia versus general? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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