LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY UNDER SPINAL ANAESTHESIA: STUDY IN 100 CASES

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are generally performed under general anaesthesia. Trials for spinal anaesthesia were not satisfactory. My experience on 100 cases with a modified technique provided very good results, where Bupivacaine and Clonidine were administered by subarachnoid route combined with peritoneal insufflation and local infiltration of Ropivacaine. METHOD One hundred ASI grade 1 and grade 2 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy opting for spinal anaesthesia were given 1 mL (150 mcg) of clonidine in L1-L2 interspace followed by 3 mL (15 mg) of 0.5% heavy bupivacaine in the same interspace by separate syringes, 15 degrees head down tilt, intra-peritoneal insufflation of 0.5% Ropivacaine just after pneumoperitoneum and cannula insertion and lastly local infiltration of 0.5% Ropivacaine 2 mL at each incision at the time of skin closure. Preemptive 10-15 mg of Mephentermine IM was given to each patient. Recordings of vital parameters, pain experienced by patients, especially excruciating shoulder pain, any difficulty experienced by surgeons, need for analgesia, level of consciousness, respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, pruritus were recorded at frequent intervals during operation and later in the ICU for prompt managements. RESULTS None of the patients experienced any pain in the peri- and post-operative period, analgesia was excellent for 12-16 hours postoperatively. No respiratory depression, severe bradycardia, hypotension or pruritus was noticed. Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting were negligible. CONCLUSION Clonidine as adjuvant with hyperbaric Bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia combined with intraperitoneal infiltration of 20 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine just after insertion of cannula through an irrigation cannula and 2 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine injected at each port site at the time of skin stitches, when given in proper way can be a very good alternative to general anaesthesia for upper abdominal surgeries and especially for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without any unmanageable difficulty to the patient and ea se for the surgeon. The cost factor is also very favourable. It can be practiced particularly in field situations and remote areas.