Which anesthesia technique relies solely on intravenous agents to maintain unconsciousness and analgesia?

• A. General Endotracheal Anesthesia
• B. Monitored Anesthesia Care
• C. Local Standby
• D. Total Intravenous Anesthesia

Answer: (D)

Total Intravenous Anesthesia is the technique where unconsciousness and analgesia are produced and maintained entirely with intravenous drugs, with no inhaled anesthetic gases used. In practice this means the depth of anesthesia is controlled by IV hypnotics (like propofol) often alongside IV opioids, delivered through pumps or a target-controlled infusion system to keep the patient deeply sedated or unconscious throughout the procedure. This contrasts with other approaches that rely on inhaled agents or lighter sedation modes.

General endotracheal anesthesia typically involves airway management and often uses inhaled volatile agents in addition to IV drugs, so it isn’t defined by being IV-only. Monitored anesthesia care aims for lighter sedation where the patient may be awake or only lightly sedated, not necessarily unconscious, and may not provide full analgesia or airway protection. Local standby uses local anesthesia with possible minimal sedation, but no full general anesthesia. Thus, the method that relies solely on intravenous agents to maintain unconsciousness and analgesia is total intravenous anesthesia.