Total intravenous anesthesia for geriatric hip fracture with severe systemic disease

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2023 Oct;49(5):2139-2145. doi: 10.1007/s00068-023-02291-z. Epub 2023 Jun 24.

Abstract

Purpose: Our study aimed to determine the impact of a novel technique of anesthesia administration on the clinical outcomes and complications in geriatric patients with severe systemic disease undergoing hip surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients aged > 65 years with severe systemic disease that was a constant of life [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV] who underwent surgery for hip fracture between January 2018 and January 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I [fascia iliaca compartment block plus propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (FICB + TIVA)] and Group II [general anesthesia (GA)]. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 1-year mortality. The secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, postoperative morbidity, Visual Analog Scale score, and consumption of analgesics.

Results: There was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality (5 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.85) and 1-year mortality (15 vs. 12%, p = 0.73) between the groups. Group I had significantly lower ICU requirements (p = 0.01) and shorter lengths of ICU stay (p < 0.001) and hospital stay (p < 0.001). Moreover, a smaller proportion of patients in Group I required postoperative morphine or oral opiates.

Conclusion: Geriatric patients who underwent hip surgery under FICB + TIVA required fewer ICU admissions, shorter lengths of ICU and hospital stay, and had lesser postoperative opioid consumption than those who were under GA. Hence, we recommend the novel FICB + TIVA technique for hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients with poor general health status and high surgical risks (ASA IV).

Keywords: Geriatric; Hip fracture; Nerve block; TIVA.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anesthesia, General
  • Anesthesia, Intravenous
  • Hip Fractures* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Nerve Block*
  • Propofol*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Propofol