A randomized study of local or general anesthesia for laser conization of the cervix

Laser Conization of the cervix was performed in both inpatient and outpatient settings with either local or general anesthesia. All of the patients included had abnormal cervical smears, abnormal colposcopic findings and were allocated to one of two groups, A and B. Patients in group A had general anesthesia while patients in group B had only local anesthesia. A standard operative technique, was used and all patients had estimation of blood loss, recording of operative time, surgical suite time, anesthesia induction time, and assessment of postoperative pain and morbidity. Statistical analysis was performed using the student t-test. We concluded that laser conization of the cervix can be performed more cheaply with local anesthesia than with general anesthesia and with little discomfort, less nausea, and vomitting.