Deep sedation was explored in a prospective study of 46 consecutive patients as an alternative to local and general anesthesia. All usual arthroscopic surgical procedures could be completely performed with an inflated tourniquet under this type of anesthesia. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters exhibited only moderate variations, and returned to baseline values less than 15 minutes after surgery. Recovery of consciousness was faster than with general anaesthesia. Patient satisfaction and operative ease were considered better than with local anaesthesia.