What is the difference between IV sedation and general anesthesia?
IV sedation results in deep sleep while patient breaths normally on their own and does not require intubation. This is contrary to general anesthesia which is usually provided in hospital setting by an anesthesiologist. With general anesthesia patient is intubated and the airway and breathing is completely controlled by the breathing tube and the a ventilator. Some refer to IV sedation as ‘office general anesthesia, but it is not true general anesthesia.
