Blog Layout

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)

Gastrointestinal Institute

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is the intravenous administration of mild sedatives to help a patient relax and relieve anxiety during minor procedures that do not require general anesthesia. These procedures, such as biopsies and colonoscopies, typically require the injection of a local anesthetic to numb the surgical site.


This is different from general anesthesia because you remain breathing on your own during the procedure and do not have a breathing tube. Your doctor will monitor you throughout the procedure just the same as he or she would during general anesthesia.

Anaesthetist Monitoring Medical Condition on a Screen — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute

What is the purpose?

The purpose of MAC anesthesia is to provide the patient with relief of discomfort and anxiety associated with the procedure. Although you will be able to respond to your doctors and nurses during the procedure, the medicines you receive will likely lead to you not remembering the procedure.

What procedures is it used for?

MAC anesthesia is used for uncomfortable procedures or minor surgeries that do not usually require general anesthesia. Examples of these are upper endocoscopy and colonoscopy, procedures done under radiologic guidance, and minor surgeries for which the patient needs to lie still for more that a few minutes.

What are the benefits?

The medicines used for MAC anesthesia work quickly and also wear off quickly. They allow for you to undergo the procedure in a safe manner. When the procedure is done, most patients are awake quickly afterward and do not get some of the side effects commonly associated with general anesthesia, such as nausea and feeling sleepy.


MAC (Monitored Anesthesia Care) is also referred to as Twilight Sleep.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.

Colonoscopy Equipment — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
16 Nov, 2023
What is colonoscopy?
15 Nov, 2023
Diagnostic CT Services
Woman Getting Inhalation Sedation — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
Conscious sedation is a combination of medicines to help you relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anesthetic) during a medical or dental procedure. You will probably stay awake but may not be able to speak. Conscious sedation lets you recover quickly and return to your everyday activities soon after your procedure.
Virtual Colonoscopy — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
What is the difference between the conventional colonoscopy and the virtual colonoscopy?
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
What is Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?
Liver Biopsy — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
What is Liver Biopsy?
Man Suffering from Severe Hemorrhoids — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
Hemorrhoid banding is a procedure used to treat painful, swollen hemorrhoids. The procedure is most often done because the hemorrhoids: (1) are bleeding severely, (2) are severely painful, (3) they contain a blood clot (thrombosed hemorrhoid) or, (4) they protrude through the anus (prolapsed hemorrhoids).
Large and Small Intestine — Normal, IL — Gastrointestinal Institute
22 Sep, 2023
What is an ileoscopy?
More Posts
Share by: