TIVA
Total intravenous anesthesia.
Total intravenous anesthesia, commonly abbreviated TIVA, is a technique in which the entire anesthetic is delivered through a vein rather than as an inhaled gas. Dr. Rad uses TIVA for dental office cases where a faster and clearer recovery is preferred.
What TIVA is
What total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is
Total intravenous anesthesia is a general anesthetic delivered entirely through an intravenous line. In a conventional general anesthetic, part of the anesthesia is delivered as a vapor the patient breathes. In total intravenous anesthesia, no inhaled agent is used at all. Medication is infused continuously through an intravenous line and titrated to the depth the case requires.
Because the anesthetic is delivered by infusion, the depth can be adjusted precisely and changed quickly during the procedure.
TIVA is widely used in outpatient and office-based settings. It is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting than inhaled techniques, and patients frequently describe waking more clear-headed.
Whether TIVA is appropriate for a given case is determined at the pre-operative evaluation.
When it is used
When TIVA is used in dental anesthesia
TIVA suits patients who have had nausea after previous anesthetics, those who need to be alert reasonably soon after treatment, and cases where a smooth, predictable emergence is a priority.
It is also a practical technique for the office setting, since it requires no anesthetic gas delivery or scavenging equipment in the operatory.
Related: adult dental anesthesia and anesthesia in the dental office.
See the comparison of anesthesia options to understand where TIVA sits alongside sedation.
Contact
Ask about the technique.
Whether TIVA suits a particular patient is decided at the pre-operative evaluation. Questions before that point are welcome.