Version July 2025
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What is monitored anesthesia care? —
Monitored anesthesia care, or "MAC," is used for minor surgeries or procedures that might be uncomfortable. "Anesthesia" means different types of medicine people get before and during surgery or a procedure.
With MAC, an anesthesia specialist is there to monitor you closely. They will keep you safe and give you the right level of anesthesia to keep you comfortable and relaxed. They can give you:
●Sedative medicines – These make you relax and feel sleepy. This is also called "sedation."
●Pain medicines – These help keep you comfortable during and after the procedure.
The anesthesia specialist can adjust your level of sedation. They will work with your doctor to decide what level you need for the procedure. For some procedures, you are very relaxed, sleepy, and easy to wake up when needed. For others, you can talk and answer questions. Sometimes, you are in a deep sleep.
If needed, the anesthesia specialist can change your level of sedation to "general" anesthesia. This is when you are unconscious so you can't feel, see, or hear anything during the procedure.
Depending on the medicines you get, you might not remember much of the procedure. Many people do not remember the procedure at all after MAC.
When is MAC used? —
You might get MAC to help make you more comfortable during a procedure. Examples of procedures that might be done with MAC include:
●Minor surgeries or procedures – These include taking a tissue sample, lining up the ends of a broken bone, or some types of cosmetic surgery.
●Colonoscopy or endoscopy – These tests use a special scope to look inside the body, such as the lining of the colon.
●Dental surgery – This includes things like placing an implant or taking out an impacted tooth.
●Bronchoscopy or laryngoscopy – These tests use a special scope or device to look inside the airways.
How do I prepare for MAC? —
The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare. Before the procedure, your doctor will do an exam and ask about your health history. You will also get information about:
●Eating and drinking before the procedure – You might need to "fast" before the procedure. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. Or you might be allowed to have liquids until a short time before the procedure. Whether you need to fast, and for how long, depends on the procedure and whether it needs to be done right away.
●What help you will need after having sedation – You will need someone else to bring you home. You might need someone to stay with you for some time while you recover.
Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.
What happens during MAC? —
When it is time for the procedure:
●You will get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. This can be used to give you fluids and medicines.
●You might get sedation medicines. The doctor will also give you medicines to help with pain.
●The doctors and nurses will monitor your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during the procedure.
What happens after MAC? —
After the procedure, the staff will watch you closely as your anesthesia wears off. As the medicines leave your body, you will become more alert. You might have trouble remembering things for a short time.
What are the risks of MAC? —
Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:
●Low blood pressure
●Nausea and/or vomiting
●Temporary breathing problems
Patient education: Monitored anesthesia care – Discharge instructions (The Basics)
Patient education: Anesthesia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Anesthesia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Sedation for procedures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Sedation for procedures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Fasting before surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Questions to ask if you are having surgery or a procedure (The Basics)
