[Hypnosis--a side effect-free alternative to medical sedation in regional anesthesia].
S Schulz-Stübner
Der Anaesthesist October 1996 DOI: 10.1007/s001010050331 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Patients undergoing regional anaesthesia, including spinal anaesthesia for knee and hip surgery and brachial plexus block for open fixation of Colles' fracture |
| Intervention | Hypnosis |
| Key findings | In a series of ten cases, hypnosis was successful in six (vegetative stress symptoms such as tachycardia or shivering stopped immediately after induction), partially successful in two (hypnosis interrupted after 30 minutes), and unsuccessful in two. The author argues hypnosis is a good alternative for selected patients but will not become routine because it requires 15 to 45 minutes for patient information and testing plus special organisational conditions. |
Abstract
Hypnosis can be an alternative to cerebral sedatives with no side effects for sedation during regional anaesthesia, especially in high-risk and fearful patients. Patients who have experience with relating techniques like Jakobson's progressive muscle relaxation are very good candidates for hypnosis. It is contraindicated in patients with psychotic disorders, major depression, and abuse of hallucinogenic drugs. The authors shows his personal method of hypnosis based on fixation and suggestive techniques like muscle relaxation, temperature sensation, and creation of emotional pictures. Of ten cases, hypnosis was successful in six (vegetative stress symptoms like tachycardia or shivering stopped immediately after induction of hypnosis), not completely successful in two (interruption of hypnosis after 30 min) and unsuccessful in two. Four cases where hypnosis was used during spinal anaesthesia for knee and hip surgery or brachial plexus block for open fixation of Colles' fracture are discussed as examples. As it requires more time (15 to 45 min to inform and test the patient) and special organisational conditions hypnosis will not become a routine procedure, but is still a good alternative for selected cases.