LOCAL ANAESTHESIA: Sedation

• Patients undergoing surgery under conduction anesthesia often need some sedation to reduce anxiety or to help them to lie still.
• This is best achieved by oral premedication – drugs taken orally are safer and less expensive
• Never give sedation to cover inadequate nerve block
• Do not let sedation drift into unconsciousness with uncontrolled airway; a sedated patient should still be able to talk to you