BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum for a gynecologic laparoscopic surgery induces hemodynamic changes. We evaluated the effects of nicardipine on induction, maintenance, and recovery.

METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for gynecologic laparoscopic surgery were randomly allocated to two groups: control group (placebo group, n = 15), group N (nicardipine group, 10 µg/kg followed by 0.5-2.0 µg/kg/min). The systolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were measured at preinduction, induction, intubation and 5, 10, 15, 20 min after insufflation. Loss of consciousness, induction dose, effective site concentration, propofol maintenance dose (the maintenance dose of propofol from intubation to end of anesthesia, PMD) were also measured. Propofol was titrated to maintain a bispectal index value of 40-60.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference in PMD between two groups. The PMD of group N was significantaly less than group C. Nicardipine adminstration attenuated increase in the blood pressure, but did not affect on heart rates during CO₂ insufflation.

CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of nicardipine was effective in attenuating the hemodynamic changes after pneumoperitoneum during gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, without changes of induction and recovery.