HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Why Are Sedations Not Offered For Women Undergoing Stereotactic Breast Biopsies?

Why isn t sedation offered for women undergoing stereotactic breast biopsies? Lidocaine apparently works for some women but not all. I ve read many, many horror stories about women experiencing excruciating pain with this procedure, at a time when they re already stressed out knowing they may have cancer. If they re lucky they might get a little valium or xanax, which doesn t do much for some of us. I just cancelled my biopsy appointment because I d rather take my chances with cancer than let myself be tortured. I doubt I m the only person who s ever refused a medical test because of the pain involved. Why won t doctors just use sedation for such procedures?
Mon, 7 Dec 2015
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Sedations or short acting general anesthesia (GA) is used only for minor surgical procedures which require a little deep exploration of tissues. Even though it is used, pain may not be evident during the procedure, but would be evident later, which needs to be managed by analgesics.
Hence, for mist superficial procedures, local anesthetics are used.
Depending on how deep the biopsy need to be taken and from which site, proper anesthesia is chosen.
It would advisable to get your biopsy done without worrying much about it as some pain after procedure can be managed by analgesic medications.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Why Are Sedations Not Offered For Women Undergoing Stereotactic Breast Biopsies?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Sedations or short acting general anesthesia (GA) is used only for minor surgical procedures which require a little deep exploration of tissues. Even though it is used, pain may not be evident during the procedure, but would be evident later, which needs to be managed by analgesics. Hence, for mist superficial procedures, local anesthetics are used. Depending on how deep the biopsy need to be taken and from which site, proper anesthesia is chosen. It would advisable to get your biopsy done without worrying much about it as some pain after procedure can be managed by analgesic medications. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best.