OE Original Update: Spinal vs General Anesthesia: Is one better than the other for hip fracture surgeries ?
Hip fractures are rising worldwide as populations age, making the choice between spinal and general anesthesia an important part of improving postoperative outcomes. Across eleven randomized trials, spinal anesthesia was associated with less intraoperative blood loss, slightly shorter hospital stays, and lower early opioid requirements. However, major outcomes such as delirium, serious adverse events, and 60-day mortality showed no meaningful differences between approaches. Newer data from the REGAIN trial found similar pain scores and long-term analgesic use between groups, though spinal anesthesia was linked to more shivering and general anesthesia to more sore throats. Both techniques appear safe, with modest short-term advantages for spinal anesthesia and substantial overlap in long-term patient experience.
Unlock the Full original article
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this original article
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics