Comparison of Efficacy between Spinal Anaesthesia and General Anaesthesia for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly performed under general anaesthesia (GA), but spinal anaesthesia (SA) has emerged as a potential alternative offering certain advantages. Evidence comparing both techniques in the Bangladeshi surgical setting remains limited. Objective: To compare the intraoperative hemodynamic stability, postoperative pain scores, recovery profile, and patient satisfaction between spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods & Materials: This comparative study was conducted at 250Bedded General Hospital, Tangail, Bangladesh, from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 120 adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were selected by purposive sampling and randomly divided into two equal groups: Group A (spinal anaesthesia, n=60) and Group B (general anaesthesia, n=60). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Patients in the SA group demonstrated significantly lower VAS pain scores at 2, 6, and 12 hours postoperatively (p<0.05), longer time to first analgesic request (mean 4.8 vs. 1.2 hours), and lower incidence of PONV (8.3% vs. 25.0%). Hemodynamic parameters were more stable intraoperatively in the SA group. Patient satisfaction scores were higher in the SA group (mean 4.6/5 vs. 3.8/5). However, conversion to GA was required in 2 patients (3.3%) due to inadequate peritoneal relaxation. Conclusion: Spinal anaesthesia is a safe and effective alternative to general anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in selected patients, offering better postoperative analgesia, fewer side effects, and higher patient satisfaction, though careful patient selection is essential.