Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard surgical treatment for gallbladder disease, including symptomatic cholelithiasis, acute or chronic cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, and gallstone-related complications. Compared to open surgery, the laparoscopic approach offers reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and lower overall morbidity.
In the preoperative phase, anesthesiologists must assess patients for comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Particular attention to airway evaluation is warranted since these patients face higher aspiration risks.
General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation is the standard anesthetic technique, enabling control of the respiratory effects produced by carbon dioxide insufflation into the peritoneal cavity.
The procedure causes predictable physiological changes including reduced venous return and decreased lung compliance. Carbon dioxide absorption may lead to hypercapnia, necessitating adjustments in minute ventilation to maintain normocapnia throughout the case.
A multimodal approach to pain management combining non-opioid analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, and local anesthetics at incision sites supports effective and comfortable recovery.
Proper neuromuscular blockade reversal ensures adequate spontaneous ventilation before emergence, typically resulting in rapid recovery and early discharge in the outpatient setting.