ABSTRACT : The aim of our study is to compare the haemodynamic responses to Combined Epidural and General Anaesthesia (CEGA) and General Anaesthesia (GA) alone in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative anaesthetic requirements (inhalational, narcotics, relaxant), recovery from anaesthesia (Extubation time, Steward’s score), postoperative analgesic requirements were also compared.

METHODS : : This randomized controlled study was carried out in 60 patients of ASA I & II, between 20 to 60 years of age either sex, who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in lady Hardinge medical college & associated hospitals. They were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 30 each. Group I was given combined epidural and general anaesthesia and Group II general anaesthesia alone.

RESULTS : In our study we studied that combining epidural anaesthesia as an adjunct to general anaesthesia can produce better haemodynamic stability, good abdominal muscle relaxation, excellent intraoperative analgesia, much lesser requirements of intraoperative anaesthetic drugs, better recovery from anaesthesia and excellent post operative analgesia. None of the patients in the epidural received any post operative analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS : We conclude that combined epidural and general anaesthesia can be a better alternative to the conventional general anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.