Richard Martin

Most typically podiatry surgery involving a toe is performed with deep sedation and local anesthesia. The patient is sedated and then the podiatrist anesthetizes the foot. The sedation is most typically maintained with propofol during the procedure.

I suspect that your question regards the overall type of anesthesia to be administered during a proposed thyroid surgery. I have only administered general anesthesia during thyroid surgery. That would include sedation on the way to the operating room, typically Versed (midazolam) which is a benzodiazepine which ion the same family as Valium, Ativan, and Xanax, all drugs which give a patient a sense of tranquility, what we call "anxiolytics" in other words, diminish anxiety. Once in the operating room, the vital sign monitors are reconnected: pulse oximeter, blood pressure and the electrocardiogram. The patient is administered oxygen via an oxygen mask and the general anesthetic is initiated with intravenous medications. Once the patient is completely asleep, an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) is placed into the trachea (wind pipe). The patient is prepped with the surgical solution, sterile drapes are placed and the surgeon commences with the surgery.
I personally have never participated in a thyroid surgery under local anesthesia with sedation. It would be inappropriate for me to have any opinion regarding that form of anesthesia care. I hope this helps.

In days past, the tonsils beds were injected with local anesthetic but not now a days. I suspect due to potential complications.

If you have received the typical trifecta: Zofran, Decadron, and a scopolamine ear patch pre and intraoperatively but still have suffered postoperative nausea and vomiting, consider a "Relief band". People who have undergone chemotherapy and suffered significant nausea and vomiting have used this product and have enjoyed great success. Go to reliefband.com for product information and to purchase one if so desired. I do not know the cost but it surely would be worthwhile, especially contemplating abdominal surgery! 

To whom it may concern:
The general public has varying ideas as to what "be put to sleep" means. Any colonoscopies I have been a part of have always been conducted under sedation most typically with the patient receiving propofol administered by an anesthesiologist or a Certified Nurse anesthetist. Alternatively, gastroenterologists may have a nurse administer a combination of midazolam and fentanyl.
Returning to your question, yes, a patient could undergo a colonoscopy while under a general anesthetic but I would think only under extenuating circumstances. It would not be routine.