Hypnosurgery
Hypnosurgery is the term given to an operation where the patient is sedated using hypnotherapy rather than traditional anaesthetics. It is still in its experimental stages, and not often used. During hypnosurgery, the hypnotist helps the patient control their subconscious reflexes so that they do not feel pain in the traditional sense.[citation needed] Patients are aware of sensation as the operation progresses and often describe a tingling or tickling sensation when pain would normally be expected.[citation needed]
What is more frequently used is hypnosedation, a combination regimen of hypnosis, local injection of analgesics and mild sedation. The patients -mostly aged or other persons that run an increased risk under general anesthesia - are mildly sedated and brought in a state of increased alertness by having them listen to a story in the operation theatre. Anesthesiologists at the University of Liège in Belgium have performed over 4800 surgical interventions, mainly in ENT and thyroid treatments, over the past 10 years.[1]
The main benefit of hypnosurgery is that there are fewer side effects, and generally a patient can leave hospital sooner than if normal anaesthetics are used.[citation needed] A reduction in blood loss and post-operative nausea have also been recorded.[citation needed]
In April 2006, the British television channel More4 broadcast a live hernia hypnosurgery operation.
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[edit] External links
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Look up hypnosis, prosopopeia, or discombobulation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- [1] University of Liege, Belgium
- More4: Hypnosurgery live - the entire episode is available for download online (must register to watch).
- Cesarean section video
- BBC news story
- Hypnosurgery Live episode viewable at Google Video
