Outcomes of Spinal Anesthesia versus General Anesthesia for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure, and the choice of anesthesia, either spinal or general, remains a subject of debate. Objective: To assess and compare the outcomes of spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with postoperative pain management, recovery time, complications, and patient satisfaction between the two anesthesia techniques. Methods: This multicenter study was conducted at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. A total of 106 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: one receiving spinal anesthesia and the other receiving general anesthesia. Data was collected from June 2021 to December 2022. Surgical duration, intraoperative complications, postoperative pain levels, analgesic requirements, time to discharge, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed, and percentages were calculated to compare the outcomes. Results: The study revealed that 62% of patients who received spinal anesthesia had a shorter surgical duration compared to 48% in the general anesthesia group. Postoperative pain levels were lower in the spinal anesthesia group, with 75% of patients reporting minimal pain compared to 54% in the general anesthesia group. Analgesic requirements were also lower in the spinal anesthesia group (70% vs. 45%). The recovery time was shorter in the spinal anesthesia group, and 78% of these patients were discharged earlier. Furthermore, 80% of patients in the spinal anesthesia group expressed high satisfaction, while it was 65% in the general anesthesia group. Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia appears to offer advantages in terms of shorter surgical duration, reduced postoperative pain, lower analgesic requirements, faster recovery, and higher patient satisfaction compared to general anesthesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.