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Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a type of anesthesia that combines light intravenous sedation with local anesthetic infiltration. This approach allows patients to remain relaxed and comfortable while being awake during a procedure, which can be beneficial for certain surgical interventions. MAC provides the advantage of sedation for anxiety relief and pain management while still allowing the patient to respond to verbal commands if necessary.

This technique is particularly useful for procedures that may cause discomfort but do not necessarily require complete unconsciousness. The use of a local anesthetic ensures that the specific area being treated remains numb, alleviating pain during the procedure. Thus, the integration of both sedation and local anesthetic in MAC facilitates a more pleasant experience for patients undergoing minor surgeries or diagnostic procedures.

Other forms of anesthesia, such as general anesthesia, local anesthesia, and regional anesthesia, do not fit the combination of light intravenous sedation and local infiltration. General anesthesia involves complete unconsciousness and is used in more extensive surgeries. Local anesthesia provides pain relief in a specific area without sedation, and regional anesthesia involves rendering a larger area of the body insensitive to pain, often at the expense of consciousness or awareness.