Comparison of General, Neuraxial/Regional Anesthesia in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is an important procedure requiring accuracy and skill. The choice of anesthesia for better outcomes is a mandatory requirement in this procedure. Objective: To compare the outcomes of general verses neuraxial/regional anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty. Study Design: Comparative analytical study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthopaedics, Sahara Medical College, Narowalfrom 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2021. Methodology: Ninety nine patients within the age group >45 years were divided into three groups according to the anaesthetic technique applied (general, spinal or epidural). They were divided in three groups and each group had 33 patients. Patient’s informed consent was taken. Clinical history and information regarding to their physical heath were recorded prior to operation. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.6±7.16 years. There were 53.5% male and 46.5% females in total. The BMI among three groups had no significant variance. Blood loss during surgery and duration of surgery were lower in general anaesthesia group. Post-operative pain within six hours and transfusion rate was less in neuraxial/regional groups. Conclusion: Neuraxial anesthesia is related with improved and effective outcomes in total knee arthroplasty with patients having less complains of pain especially in epidural and spinal anesthesia respectively. Blood loss was slightly and insignificantly lower in general anesthesia than epidural or spinal anesthesia types. Key words: Anesthesia, General anesthesia, Spinal anesthesia, Epidural