Morbidity after day case laparoscopy. A comparison of two techniques of tracheal anaesthesia

Summary A comparison was made of postoperative morbidity following two anaesthetic techniques for day case laparoscopies. One group of patients was allowed to breathe spontaneously after intubation under suxamethonium. The second group received atracurium and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. Patients in the controlled ventilation group experienced significantly less severe sore throats and muscle pain in the first 24 hours postoperatively than the patients who breathed spontaneously. Both techniques proved to be safe and are suitable for day case laparoscopy. The safety of patients is discussed in relation to the choice of anaesthetic technique used.