Purpose: to study the effect of Propranolol on hemodynamic response due to airway manipulation and carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases.

Methods: 63 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups; group 1 received 1.0 mg of Propranolol, group 2 received 0.5 mg of Propranolol and group 3 received 1 ml saline 5 minutes before induction of anaesthesia. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded for every 5 minutes from basal to 5 minutes after extubation and analyzed.

Results: Balanced anaesthesia used in our set up is effective in decreasing stress response due to airway manipulation (laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation) but not effective in that due to CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Propranolol 1 mg 5 minutes before anaesthesia is effective in decreasing stress response due to airway manipulation and CO2 pneumoperitoneum in these groups of patients.

Conclusion: Propranolol effectively blunts the stress response due to CO2 pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.