Combined spinal and general anesthesia vs general anesthesia for robotic sacrocervicopexy: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Gynecologic laparoscopic surgery is frequently accompanied by early postoperative pain. This study assessed the effect of combined general and spinal anesthesia on postoperative pain score, analgesic use, and patient satisfaction following robotic surgeries.


METHODS
This was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-eight consecutive women who underwent robotic surgeries for pelvic organ prolapse (sacrocolpopexy with or without subtotal hysterectomy) were randomly assigned to receive general anesthesia (control group, n = 20) or combined general with spinal anesthesia (study group, n = 18). Pain scores were assessed at rest and while coughing using a visual analog scale (VAS) 0-10. Dosage of analgesic medication consumption was retrieved from patients' charts.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic data and intraoperative hemodynamic parameters. In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) mean total IV morphine and meperidine dosages were significantly lower for the study than the control group (0.33 vs 7.59 mg, 1.39 vs 27.89 mg, respectively, P < 0.003, <0.001, respectively). In addition, a significantly lower percentage of patients belonging to the study group demanded analgesic medications while in the PACU (33 vs 53 %, P = 0.042). Pain scores in the PACU and during postoperative day 1 were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (delta VAS 1.9 vs 3.0, P = 0.04). Satisfaction with pain treatment among both patients and nurses was significantly higher in the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
Reported levels of pain and analgesic use during the first 24 h following robotic gynecologic surgery were significantly lower following general and spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia alone.
Department of Anesthesiology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Dror
D
Segal
Nibal
N
Awad
Hawash
H
Nasir
Susana
S
Mustafa
Lior
L
Lowenstein
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008614:Meperidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D015742:Propofol; D012371:Robotics
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D009020:Morphine; D008614:Meperidine; D007530:Isoflurane; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol