Daycase laparoscopic gynaecological procedures- current trends in anaesthetic management

Abstract

Laparoscopy for gynaecological procedures is minimally invasive and is mostly performed as a daycase. The advancement of laparoscopy and minimal access surgery has greatly influenced the evolution of anaesthetic techniques. Preoperative assessment can be simplified by the use of questionnaires in pre-assessment clinics. Intraoperative intravenous fluid administration improves patientwell beingwhile airwaymanagement can be by the age-old, tried and trusted orotracheal tube or by the newer laryngealmask airways. The use of propofol as an induction agent, a short acting non-depolarizing muscle relaxant e.g. mivacurium, an inhalational anaesthetic agent with a fast wake up time e.g. sevoflurane or desflurane, and short acting opioids e.g. fentanyl guarantees quick recovery of patients. The trend towards a multimodal approach to postoperative pain and prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) improves postoperative profile of day case gynaecological patients. Expertise in providing a pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide is desirable even as other options for lifting the abdominalwall are being investigated.

Keywords: Gynaecological Laparoscopy, Daycase, Anaesthesia, Current trends.