Ventilatory and blood gas changes during laparoscopy with local anesthesia.

A study was performed on a series of healthy patients undergoing laparoscopy for tubal ligation with local anesthesia in a non-operating room setting. Ventilatory parameters, blood gas, pH, blood pressure, and pulse were monitored. The results revealed that no adverse effect on hemoglobin saturation or carbon dioxide exchange were found when fentanyl alone was used as a supplementary analgesic. An occasional vagal reflex was observed, and it is recommended that an intravenous line be established in the event that pharmacologic intervention should become necessary. Nitrous oxide produced les with this minimal analgesia.