The use of conscious sedation for outpatient dermatologic surgical procedures

BACKGROUND. Dermatologic surgery has undergone increasing levels of sophist ication over the past few decades. Commensurate with this demand, an establ ished anesthesia technique called conscious sedation has been employed. OBJECTIVES. Methods for performing office-based conscious sedation are desc ribed. Recommendations are made regarding prerequisites for conscious sedat ion in an office setting, patient selection, complications management, and postoperative discharge requirements. CONCLUSION. The goals of anesthesia are to provide for patient safety and c omfort, to increase patient acceptance of the procedure, and to enhance the surgeon's efficiency and satisfaction.