Anesthesia Patient Information Guide
Jackson Anesthesia Services, P.C.
Jackson Anesthesia Services, P.C. is a small private anesthesia practice comprised of
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA’s). Jackson Anesthesia Services
CRNA’s administer anesthesia to both children and adults in out-patient, in-patient, and
office based settings.
Types of Anesthesia/Your Anesthesia
There are three primary ways anesthetics are delivered. General, Regional, and
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC). The type of anesthesia that patients receive is
determined by several factors including:
1. The requirements of the surgeon
2. The type of operation/procedure you are having done
3. Your age, physical status, and laboratory values
General Anesthesia. General anesthesia usually involves giving a medicine through an
i.v. and then once you are “asleep” you inhale anesthesia gases to remain “asleep”.
Patients who receive a general anesthetic will sometimes need a breathing tube or other
airway device to deliver oxygen and anesthesia gases. Examples of surgeries that require
general anesthesia include heart surgery, brain surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and
surgeries that are expected to be long in duration.
Regional Anesthesia. Regional anesthesia is when a portion of your body is temporarily
anesthetized or made “numb” like at the dentists’ office. This is accomplished by
injecting a local anesthetic near the nerves that provide sensation to an area of your body.
The local anesthetic then soaks into the nerves and temporarily blocks conduction of
nerves, and thus eliminates pain in that area until the local anesthetic wears off.
Examples of surgery when regional anesthesia is utilized include epidurals or spinals (for
childbirth).
MAC Anesthesia. MAC anesthesia or “Monitored Anesthesia Care” is the safest and the
simplest way to administer an anesthetic. MAC anesthesia is very gentle on your body.
Patients with health problems such as heart or lung ailments, diabetes, or cystic fibrosis
have fewer problems with MAC compared to general or regional anesthetics. THIS IS
THE TYPE OF ANESTHESIA YOU WILL HAVE FOR YOUR EGG
RETRIEVAL. It is often referred to as “twilight anesthesia”.
In the pre-op holding area a small intravenous (i.v.) catheter is inserted into an arm vein
and a saline (salt-water) solution will start infusing. All medication you receive will be
delivered through this i.v. Your family member or friend can be with you during this
time.
Once in the procedure room, standard monitors will be placed and oxygen tubing will rest
under your nose. MAC anesthesia will then be started. MAC anesthesia is the process in
which the CRNA continuously titrates intravenous medications to make you comfortable
and sleepy. Some patients snore a little…most patients wake up smiling and can not
believe it is already over. The CRNA stays with you the entire time and is there to
monitor and react to any problems that may occur.
After the egg retrieval you will be taken back to your room. Patients who have received a
MAC anesthetic are awake, alert, and comfortable within minutes after the egg retrieval.
You will be closely observed and monitored for approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
During this time your visitor (family/friend) can be with you.
For your embryo transfer (several days later) you will simply be given a pill to take by
mouth a few hours prior to the transfer. This sedative called “Valium” usually is enough
to make you comfortable for the embryo transfer.