General Anesthesia can be more than just something to endure.

Whether through Dr. Desroches' participation in the anesthesia revolution with the use of ultrasound, through Dr. Belliveau's use of narcotic-free anesthesia techniques, or through Dr. Lamontagne's interest in the use of hypnosis in preparing patients for surgery, Mensana stands out for its ability to go beyond the traditional limits of anesthesia in order to offer its patients the best possible surgical experience.

Medical hypnosis is a state of deep focus, induced by a trained professional, that modulates the perception of pain and anxiety. It does not put you to sleep, nor make you lose control: you remain conscious, able to communicate, connected with the care team. It is used to complement or sometimes replace certain traditional anesthesia components — always within a strictly supervised framework, by anesthesiologists trained in this technique.

For you, the patient: you stay in control of your experience. Less anxiety before entering the OR, less anesthetic medication in some cases, a gentler waking. For those who wish it, this is the chance to live the procedure differently — connected to your body, rather than fully asleep.

For your clinic: a documented option beyond general anesthesia for certain procedure types, notably in esthetic and ambulatory surgery. It allows reducing doses of anesthetic agents, decreasing postoperative side effects (nausea, vomiting, fatigue), and accelerating PACU discharge. A tool that broadens your palette — without imposing a new constraint.

OFA (Opioid-Free Anesthesia) is an approach that combines several medication classes — local anesthetics, anti-inflammatories, alpha-2 agents — to achieve optimal pain control without resorting to opioids (morphine, fentanyl, and their derivatives). Proven in Europe for more than a decade, it has been practiced by Dr. Belliveau in Quebec in major surgery (cardiac, thoracic, neurosurgery) and orthopedics since 2018.

For you, the patient: less nausea, less vomiting, less postoperative fatigue, less confusion upon waking. No opioid fog in the days that follow. And above all: no exposure to medications known to cause dependence — a public health issue that is becoming more and more concrete, surgery after surgery.

For your clinic: better-tolerated protocols that reduce PACU length-of-stay, respiratory complications, and early readmissions. Reduced opioid consumption at the scale of your facility — a growing regulatory and reputational concern in Canada. A practice that positions your clinic at the forefront of modern anesthesia.

This technique consists of precisely anesthetizing the nerves of a targeted body region (shoulder, knee, hand, abdomen, etc.) using an ultrasound probe to visualize them directly. In many cases, it allows surgery to be performed without general anesthesia, or extends perfect pain control several hours after the procedure. Dr. Desroches was a pioneer in Quebec in using this technique, in the early 2000s.

For you, the patient: targeted, localized relief that extends well beyond operative time. Less systemic medication, therefore fewer side effects. And above all, postoperative pain control that allows you to return home in comfort, without enduring the difficult first hours.

For your clinic: a pillar of the ambulatory shift. It is precisely this approach that enables surgeries — especially orthopedic — to be performed without hospitalization. A patient whose pain is well managed by a regional block leaves the clinic earlier, in better shape, and needs fewer opioids in the following days. A direct effect on your length-of-stay and your readmission rates.