The effect of anaesthetic technique on postoperative venous thromboembolism in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement

Abstract

Objective: Because hip fractures are common in elderly patients, total hip replacement has been a major advancement in treatment. This procedure, however, is associated with significant postoperative complications such as venous thromboembolism. In this study we retrospectively analyzed the factors affecting the incidence of venous thromboembolism complication is related with postoperative morbidity and mortality and its relation with the type of anaesthesia used in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement for traumatic hip fracture. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients aged over 65 years old who had undergone total hip replacement after traumatic hip fracture at our institution between 1997 and 2003. The data included patients' demographic characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative findings, venous thromboembolism incidence and its relation with the anesthetic technique. Results: Venous thromboembolism was diagnosed in 10.8% of 291 patients. The incidence of venous thromboembolism was 10.5% after general anaesthesia and 9.2% after epidural anaesthesia (p>0.05). Conclusions: We found no association between the incidence of venous thromboembolism and the type of anaesthesia, although there were some advantages eith epidural anaesthesia such as less blood loss and fewer blood transfusions. However, a significant correlation was found between venous thromboembolism and the patient's age and duration of the surgery.