ProNox – Nitrous Oxide Delivery System

HTX Urology is now pleased to offer ProNox, a Nitrous Oxide delivery system for patient comfort during in-office procedures. ProNox is a great idea for those that experience anxiety in a doctor’s office, or for those with low pain tolerances.

ProNox^TM can be used for a variety of office procedures, including cystoscopy, prostate biopsy, vasectomy, intravesical botox, bio-identical testosterone pelleting, and UroLift

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide (N2O), which is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”, is a chemical compound that is colorless, with a slightly sweet odor. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a fast-acting sedative that helps in slowing down the nervous system of a patient. However, it does not induce sleep.

It is usually administered to patients with the help of a small plastic tube that patients use to inhale the gas. A nose plug is used for optimal delivery to the lungs. After nitrous oxide is inhaled, it produces a state of euphoria and sleepiness that allows the procedure to be completed with ease!

What are the Benefits of Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide comes with a myriad of benefits when compared to general anesthesia used in operating rooms:

• -It does not require a breathing tube in the throat
• -There are minimal side effects
• -There are negligible complications that can arise out of its use
• -The recovery time is relatively faster and there is no post-anesthesia fog
• -Saves time and money for the patient in lieu of booking procedures in operating rooms

How is Nitrous Oxide Used In Urology Practices?

Nitrous Oxide can be used in improving the anxiety and pain levels that are usually associated with invasive office procedures. It can be self-administered to patients for the following urological procedures:

• –Vasectomy
• –Cystoscopy (with removal of ureteral stents)
• -Bladder Biopsy
• –Prostate Biopsy
• -Procedures involving the genital skin
• –UroLift
• -Other minimally-invasive procedures

One of the biggest benefits of using nitrous oxide is that the patients can recover quickly and without the fog that accompanies general anesthesia. This makes it a clear choice for many office-based procedures.

How does ProNox Work?

ProNox^TM is a fixed mixture of 50% Nitrous Oxide and 50% Oxygen that is delivered by a specially designed on-demand valve. Gases are only delivered to the patient when valve is used. This is patient-managed, meaning you control how long to use and it when to use it during the procedure.

ProNox^TM works in a way that the patient can recognize when the dosing is appropriate and remove the mouthpiece when the desired effect has been achieved.

Does ProNox have Side Effects?

Some patients may experience short-lived nausea. Usually taking several breaths away from the mouthpiece will resolve this feeling. Make sure to speak with Dr. Dhir if you have COPD or recent thoracic or abdominal surgery, as this is a contraindication to ProNox use.

Is ProNox safe?

Yes. Nitrous Oxide has been used for decades around the world. It is very short-acting, not addictive, and has been shown to minimize the need for narcotic pain medications after procedures and surgery. Patients can use ProNox and even drive themselves home from the clinic as long as they wait 15 minutes after their last inhalation.

Who developed Nitrous Oxide?

The use of N2O was first discovered by an English scientist, Joseph Priestly, in the late 1700s. The use of nitrous gas as an anesthetic was popularized by Humphrey Davy late in the 1800s, after he discovered the gas’s ability to produce feelings of euphoria and desensitization to pain. Thereafter, it was used in a medical procedure for the first time by Horace Wells during a dental extraction.