Abdominal emergency laparoscopy: Addressing anesthetic concerns for abdominal emergency surgery

Abstract

Introduction: CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic procedures leads to respiratory changes, making general anesthesia during laparoscopy considered high-risk anesthesia. In an emergency context, this risk is likely heightened. The objective of our study is to evaluate the role of anesthesia during laparoscopy in non-traumatic emergency abdominal surgery. Materials and Methods: Descriptive and prospective study conducted between February 2018 and October 2021, involving 337 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for non-traumatic acute abdominal emergencies. Results: Of the 337 patients operated on, 190 were female (56.4%) and 147 were male (43.6%), with a mean age of 38 years ± 15 years (range 15-82 years). Comorbidities were noted in 109 patients (32.3%), with 39 patients (11.6%) having multiple concomitant comorbidities. Our patients were classified as ASA I in 74.8% (252 patients), ASA II in 22% (74 patients), and ASA III in 3.3% (11 patients). Perioperative morbidity and mortality related to anesthesia were nil. During the analytical study, we found no correlation between anesthesia duration and perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality (p value: 0.082) and no relationship between ASA stage and postoperative morbidity (p value = 0.392, chi-square test). Conclusion: Emergency abdominal surgery via laparoscopy is feasible and safe from an anesthetic standpoint.