Hypnosedation - an effective option to GA for various surgeries

Hypnosedation is a valuable alternative to conventional general anesthesia for various surgeries, according to the findings of the research presented at Euroanaesthesia congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Hypnosedation is a technique which combines hypnosis, conscious sedation (where drugs are used to make the patient comfortable and relaxed while remaining conscious), and local anesthesia to block pain. It has previously been shown to decrease the need for medication, reduce adverse effects, and to accelerate postoperative rehabilitation when compared to general anesthesia in which the patient is rendered unconscious.

Dr. Aurore Marcou and colleagues from the Institute Curie, Paris performed a retrospective study of 150 cancer patients who whose operations were performed under hypnosis. Procedures were conducted with the usual safety conditions and monitoring in place, however, they excluded all premedication or hypnotic drugs. A continuous supply of the opioid remifentanil was given during each operation to keep the patients comfortable, and they were provided with the usual anti-sickness drugs and a painkiller as a preventative measure. Local or locoregional anesthesia was performed depending on the type and location of surgery, but the patient remained conscious throughout the procedure.

Hypnosedation was used in breast surgeries (including total mastectomies), which represented 90% of the surgeries in this study, and also gynecological surgeries, colonoscopies, and superficial plastic surgeries (representing 10% between them). The mean duration of procedures was 60 minutes (30 to 160 minutes), and the mean length of stay in the recovery room was 35 minutes.

The study found that in 99% of cases, hypnosedation provided comfortable conditions for both the patient and the surgeon operating on them. Patient discomfort happened in just two cases, and in both of these, general anesthesia was quickly and easily implemented.

The study concluded that hypnosedation can be proposed as a useful alternative to general anesthesia in various types of surgeries including major breast surgeries. By minimizing effects of anesthesia, this technique is particularly valuable for vulnerable patients. Hypnosis benefits the patient as well as the caregivers.