Laparoscopy: blood-gas values and minor sequelae associated with three techniques based on isoflurane

Three anaesthetic techniques based on isoflurane were compared in outpatients undergoing laparoscopy. Sixty healthy patients were randomly allocated to receive isoflurane via mask (spontaneous respiration), via tracheal tube (spontaneous respiration) or via tracheal tube with controlled ventilation. Moderate hypercarbia occurred in the group breathing from a mask, although there was no further increase during carbon dioxide insufflation and laparoscopy. No arrhythmias were seen during insufflation and surgical conditions in all groups were good. Spontaneous respiration via a face mask did not lead to significant hypercarbia, acidosis or cardiac arrhythmia. A high incidence of minor morbidity was found in all groups. Sore throat was much less frequent in the mask group, whereas the incidence of other after-effects, including muscle pains, did not differ significantly among the groups.