This was a randomized double blind clinical trial. The aims of this study were : 1) To compare the recovery time assessed by clinical observation, the Ball Bearing Test (BBT) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) between isoflurane and halothane anesthesia. 2) To compare the side effects of isoflurane anesthesia with halothane anesthesia. Sixty-four female patients were randomly assigned to halothane or isoflurane group. The mean ages of 32.3 ± 6.5 and 35.1 ± 5.8 years for halothane and isoflurane groups respectively. All of than underwent elective gynecologic diagnostic laparoscopy and anesthesia times were 45.4 ± 29.5 and 31.8 ±13.8 minutes for halothane and isoflurane groups respectively. Recovery was assessed by the time to extubation, orientation, response to verbal command, sit up, stand up, walk and success in obtaining the baseline performance of the BBT and DSST. The observer was blinded to the anesthetic technique that the patients received. Recovery tests showed no difference between the two group except the time to stand up and walk. The recovery times assessed by BBT and DSST were 87.2 ± 29.8 and 77.8 ±35.6 minutes for halothane and isoflurane group respectively. From questionnaire, both halothane and isoflurane group showed no difference in incidence of side effects and satisfaction of patients. However, isoflurane is more costly compared to halothane.