Anesthesia for laparoscopic general surgery. A special review

Abstract

Laparoscopy employs highly technical equipment, and the surgeon needs special training in the technique. He should master in-depth knowledge of the use of optics, electrical principles, gas under pressure, and the physiologic changes that occur when carbon dioxide is placed in the abdominal cavity. Above all, the surgeon must adhere rigidly to guidelines for appropriate technique, and deviation will most assuredly result in complications and even death. General surgery application of laparoscopy followed a wealth of medical experience from gynecological laparoscopies, which declared the technique as safe, reduced hospital stay with little pain and disfigurement. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy started to enjoy ever increasing popularity. It retained the advantages of shorter hospital stay, more rapid return to normal activities, less pain, small incisions and less postoperative ileus compared with the traditional open cholecystectomy. Soon many procedures were done using this new technique in adults and children. Anesthesia for laparoscopy has been established with a broad usage of agents and techniques. General anesthesia using balanced anesthesia technique including intravenous induction agents like: thiopentone, propofol, etomidate, and inhalational agents like nitrous oxide, isoflurane, desflurane, has been reported. Variety of muscle relaxants including succinylcholine, mivacurium, atracurium, vecuronium aiming at rapid recovery and cardiovascular stability. Total intravenous anesthesia using agnets like propofol, midazolam and ketamine, alfentanil and vecuronium has been reported also for outpatient laparoscopy. Epidural anesthesia was considered as safe alternative to general anesthesia for outpatient laparoscopy without associated respiratory depression. As for pain relief, many methods have been used. The pain mechanism is variable and analgesia requirement is less than those of open surgery. Cited complications include pneumothorax, cardiovascular collapse, surgical emphysema and pneumo-peritoneum complications. Among the implication for anesthesia care, the importance of preoperative monitoring, careful positioning and observation during the insufflation of carbon dioxide. The drive to have short term admission to hospital would make it imperative to use short acting rapidly eliminated anesthetic drugs, avoidance of vomiting and pain by proper use of modern anti-emetics and NSAID to help in avoidance of narcotics or reduction of the requirement.