What is a characteristic of monitored anesthesia care (MAC)?

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is characterized by a combination of sedation and local anesthesia. This approach allows the patient to undergo a procedure with a certain level of sedation while still providing pain relief through local anesthesia. The level of sedation can vary, but it is designed to make the patient comfortable and less aware of the procedure taking place, while still retaining some degree of consciousness. This flexibility allows for better patient experience and safety during minimally invasive or outpatient procedures.

The blending of sedation with local anesthesia in MAC helps to facilitate a variety of procedures without the need for general anesthesia, thus reducing the associated risks and recovery time.