Neuraxial anesthesia during major orthopedic surgery, combined with venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, is generally safe and well tolerated, with potential benefits over general anesthesia. The risk of spinal/epidural hematoma, a rare but very serious complication, can be minimized by careful patient selection and attention to anesthetic technique. This risk is further reduced with the use of peripheral nerve blocks in place of neuraxial anesthesia.
Charles Hantler, George J Despotis, Raj Sinha, and Jacques E Chelly.
Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
J Arthroplasty. 2004 Dec 1;19(8):1004-16.
AbstractNeuraxial anesthesia during major orthopedic surgery, combined with venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, is generally safe and well tolerated, with potential benefits over general anesthesia. The risk of spinal/epidural hematoma, a rare but very serious complication, can be minimized by careful patient selection and attention to anesthetic technique. This risk is further reduced with the use of peripheral nerve blocks in place of neuraxial anesthesia.