Patient satisfaction in middle ear surgery under monitored anaesthesia care

Abstract

Background: Monitored anaesthesia care is a specific anaesthesia service for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures performed under local anaesthesia along with sedation and analgesia titrated to a level with the provision to convert into general anaesthesia when required. We conducted a retrospective study to determine patient satisfaction in middle ear surgery under monitored anaesthesia care.

Materials and Methods: The number of patients undergoing middle ear surgery under monitored anaesthesia care, over a period of one year were included. They received sedation with midazolam 0.02 mg/kg and fentanyl 1 mcg/kg along with local anaesthetic infiltration. Patient’s satisfaction was measured using a five point Likert scale. Intraoperative pain, nausea, vomiting and other discomforts were inquired.

Results: The total number of patients was 64. Fifty-one patients (79.7%) were satisfied, 10 were neutral (15.6%) and 3 patients (4.7%) were dissatisfied with the technique. Earache (4.7%), followed by dizziness (3.1%) and bodyache (3.1%) were the most common cause of discomfort. Nausea occurred in 6 patients (9.4%) and vomiting in 5 patients (7.8%).

Conclusion: Middle ear surgeries can be performed under monitored anaesthesia care with good patient satisfaction.