Joint Surgeons of Sacramento

Total Hip Replacement Overview: Anesthesia

Interactive Surgery

Introduction

Non-operative Treatment

Surgery Alternatives

Surgery Benefits

Risks and Complications

Cementless Surgery

Conclusions

Introduction

Before Surgery

In the Hospital

Going Home

Introduction

General Anesthesia

Spinal Anesthesia

Epidural Anesthesia

Combination Anesthesia

Multi-Modal Pain Management

Summary

Summary

In summary, spinal anesthesia has significant advantages in that it can lower blood loss at surgery, decrease the chance of blood clot formation, and provide for post-operative pain control. General anesthesia renders the patient unconscious and, therefore, not aware of the procedure or the passage of time. It also is considered safer in providing controlled ventilation when the patient is placed on his side during hip surgeries.
Drs. Bargar and Blumenfeld recommend a combined anesthetic using general plus spinal for hip surgeries and spinal alone (with sedation) for knee surgery.

The above description of general and spinal anesthesia represents a general description and discussion from the surgeon's viewpoint. The ultimate decision is between the patient and the anesthesiologist. A more complete description of the pros and cons of different types of anesthesia can be provided by a discussion with the anesthesiologist. In most cases, the anesthesiologist will see the patient in the pre-operative holding area just prior to the procedure. Some anesthesiologists call the patient the night before to discuss anesthesia over the phone. If you have particular questions prior to surgery about your anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will meet with you, go over your particular case and make his or her recommendations.