ABSTRACT
Introduction Conscious sedation is a technique that combines the use of local anesthesia and
intravenous sedation. It is defined as a depressed level of consciousness to the point that the patient is in a state o f relaxation, but maintains respiratory drive and the ability to protect the airway. The patient is also capable of purposefiilly responding to physical and verbal stimulation. This is in contrast to deep sedation, in which the patient is unable to respond to verbal stimuli, will only respond to painful stimula tion with withdrawal and has potential compromise of airway protection and respi ratory drive. As opposed to monitored anesthesia care (MAC), in which an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist are required, conscious sedation can be per formed by a nurse under the supervision of the operating surgeon.
