No Clinical Difference Comparing General, Regional, and Combination Anesthesia in Hip Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Cohort-Study Regarding Perioperative Pain Management and Patient Satisfaction

Steadily increasing numbers of hip arthroplasties are reported in the past years. Different types of anesthetic methods for surgery itself as well as pain management programs have been established. It is one of the main goals to reduce postoperative pain levels and guarantee better and faster mobilization in the postoperative period. The present study aims to compare the use of general and regional spinal anesthesia and their combination regarding perioperative pain management and patient satisfaction.

All patients included in the present study had undergone primary hip arthroplasty. Parameters were analyzed on the first postoperative day within the scope of the “Quality Improvement in Postoperative Pain Management” project, which is conducted nationwide in 49 orthopedic departments at the time of data evaluation.

From 2009-2015, 18,118 patients underwent primary hip arthroplasty and have been evaluated. Demographic and general patient data were homogenous. The need for opioids was significantly higher in patients where general and combination anesthesia was applied (P < .001, respectively). Pain scores and pain management satisfaction were significantly better in regional and combination anesthesia (P < .001, respectively).

We were able to show a highly significant advantage in the use of regional or the combination of regional and general anesthesia in comparison with general anesthesia alone in hip arthroplasty regarding patients’ satisfaction and the requirement of opioid pain medication, although maybe below clinical relevance.