Gynaecological laparoscopy: clinical experiences of two anaesthetic techniques

Two anaesthetic techniques were assessed in 120 fit young women having non-emergency gynaecologial laparoscopy as in-patients. One group breathed halothane spontaneously via a face mask, and the second group were given neuromuscular blocking drugs and ventilation was controlled. There was no significant difference in intraoperative anaesthetic or surgical complications between the two groups although morbidity was greater in the intubated group when assessed 4 h after surgery. After 24 h there was no difference in postoperative morbidity. In an appendix to the study, 40 day-stay patients having the same operation under similar conditions were reviewed. After 24 h abdominal pain, lethargy and weakness were still present; 30% of the patients stated that they would prefer to be admitted overnight for a similar procedure in the future.