Urology Coding Alert

Local anesthesia with conscious (or moderate) sedation is safe and effective for patients undergoing simple urologic procedures such as vasectomy, circumcision, or hydrocelectomy. Commonly referred to as “twilight” anesthesia, conscious sedation involves using a drug-induced depression of consciousness that still allows patients to respond purposefully to verbal commands (either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation). The surgeon does not use any interventions to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. The patient usually maintains cardiovascular function.

Two advantages of conscious sedation over general anesthesia are decreased procedure time and shorter hospital stays.