DNA damage in patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery under inhalation or intravenous anesthesia

► We investigated the genotoxic effects of two inhaled and one intravenous anesthetic. ► We evaluated healthy patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery. ► Comet assay was analyzed before, during and on the day following surgical procedure. ► No significant increase in DNA damage was detected within or among the three groups. ► Genotoxic risk of anesthesia for patients undergoing surgery is low or absent.