title: Anesthetic considerations for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: Once a technique used primarily for gynecologic surgery, laparoscopy is becoming increasingly popular for the performance of abdominal procedures such as cholecystectomy, bowel resection, splenectomy, adrenalectomy, nephrectomy and inguinal hernia repair. Laparoscopy results in a shorter postoperative hospital stay, less time between surgery and the resumption of full activity, reduced hospital costs, and an earlier return to the work force. By avoiding a large abdominal incision, laparoscopic surgery results in improved cosmetic results and a reduced incidence of postoperative intraabdominal adhesions. Compared to open procedures, postoperative pain is generally considered less after laparoscopic surgery. Finally, respiratory function is less compromising following Iaparoscopic compared to open surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Director, Division of Critical Care Anesthesia, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rock