Ideas That Work: Conscious Sedation

For cataract patients who have an aversion to IV needles or who have chronic opioid issues, an MKO melt is a wonderful alternative. The sublingual sedation, which consists of midazolam (3 mg), ketamine HCI (25 mg) and ondansetron (2 mg), is placed under the patient's tongue just before surgery and takes effect within minutes. But some patients can't stand the taste of these tablets. Here's a simple solution: After the tablet dissolves under the patient's tongue, give them a mint or a Life Saver so they won't leave with a bad taste in their mouth.

T. Hunter Newsom, MD
Newsom Eye & Laser Center
Tampa, Fla.
hunter@newsomeye.net