Low-Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia For Laparoscopic Nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a surgical technique to excise a diseased kidney. It's a minimally invasive technique, so when compared to open surgery, it can mean significantly less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work and daily life activities, a more favourable cosmetic result and outcomes similar to that of open surgery.

Recently, advanced laparoscopic surgery has targeted older and high risk patients for general anesthesia; in these patients, regional anesthesia offers several advantages with improved patient satisfaction. Compared with alternative anesthetic techniques, epidural anesthesia may reduce the risks of venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, bleeding complications, pneumonia, respiratory depression and renal failure.

The aim of this study is to compare the conventional general anesthetic technique to the regional anesthesia for laparoscopic nephrectomy, in modified lateral decubitus position using low-pressure pneumoperitoneum.