Sedation verses General Anaesthetic

Hello Liz ( LizT ) 

I have just noticed your post. The Community is divided up into cancer specific groups and the best place to answer this question would be our breast cancer group. Here's the link you need:

Breast cancer forum 

Once you click on the link I have provided and the page opens up, click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined the group you can introduce yourself and ask your question in the "New Here - Say Hello" section.

If you need any further help in navigating the Community, please do get back to me.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi LizT 

The two requirements for any sort of surgery are that the area being operated on is as still as possible, and the patient feels no pain. Nerve blocks plus sedation are commonly used for lower body surgery where both things can be achieved through a spinal block. For example I have had both hips replaced that way. I think for something high up your body like the breast and armpit, a general anaesthetic would normally be required. They are really good these days and don’t cause the after effects of the past. If you have medical reasons that prevent a general anaesthetic then there may be ways forward but I don’t know. Our nurses may have more insight, you can contact them on the phone number below. 

Thank you. So if both requirements you stated in your reply are met, then there is no reason why I can’t have sedation. 
I’m trying to work out if it is clinically advantageous to have a general rather than sedation. I have looked at NICE guidance, but it’s not specific enough. There are reasons I cannot consider a general, so i am trying to gather information on advantages of having sedation. 

Thank you. 

Hi LizT 

I think only an anaesthetist could fully advise. I hope you can find a way forward.