Spinal vs general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: interim analysis of a controlled randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare spinal anesthesia with the gold standard general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in healthy patients.


METHODS
Controlled randomized trial.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
One hundred patients with symptomatic gallstone disease and American Society of Anesthesiologists status I or II were randomized to have laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal (n = 50) or general (n = 50) anesthesia.


METHODS
Intraoperative parameters, postoperative pain, complications, recovery, and patient satisfaction at follow-up were compared between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
All the procedures were completed by the allocated method of anesthesia, as there were no conversions from spinal to general anesthesia. Pain was significantly less at 4 hours (P < .001), 8 hours (P < .001), 12 hours (P < .001), and 24 hours (P = .02) after the procedure for the spinal anesthesia group compared with those who received general anesthesia. There was no difference between the 2 groups regarding complications, hospital stay, recovery, or degree of satisfaction at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal anesthesia is adequate and safe for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in otherwise healthy patients and offers better postoperative pain control than general anesthesia without limiting recovery.
Tzovaras
George
G
Department of Surgery, University of Thessaly Medical School, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece. gtzovaras@hotmail.com
Fafoulakis
Frank
F
Pratsas
Kostantinos
K
Georgopoulou
Stavroula
S
Stamatiou
Georgia
G
Hatzitheofilou
Constantine
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome