Dr. Newsom’s Fresh Approach

In Outpatient Surgery Magazine’s July issue, T. Hunter Newsom, MD, gave his surefire trick on avoiding MKO melts’ questionable taste before cataract surgery.

It’s no secret among ophthalmologists (or their cataract surgery patients) that MKO melts – a sublingual sedation comprised of idazolam (3 mg), ketamine HCI (25 mg) and ondansetron (2 mg) – aren’t the most pleasant tasting, but for those who hate IVs or have substance abuse issues, they’re a workable alternative to standard sedation. To get around the less than favored flavor, Dr. Newsom suggests surgeons offer their patients a mint or Life Saver after the MKO melt dissolves.