Laparoscopic sterilization with local anesthesia: complications and blood-gas changes

Arterial blood-gas changes were studied in 21 healthy women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization with local anesthesia and supplemental IV sedation, employing CO2 as the inflating gas. No significant hypercarbia was noted. Two patients became transiently apneic following IV medication and 2 became extremely agitated during the procedure. This constituted a major nonsurgical complication rate of 19 percent. Safety requirements for patients undergoing this procedure is suggested.