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Thousands of Americans, many of whom are frail and older, experience hip fracture and undergo corrective surgery annually. We don't know whether regional anesthesia (e.g., epidural or spinal blockade with sedation) is associated with fewer complications than is general anesthesia. In two studies, investigators tried to address this question.
In a retrospective review of U.S. hospital admissions, general anesthesia was used in 61,500 patients, regional anesthesia was used in 6900 patients, and both were used in 4800 patients. In-hospital mortality was 2.2%. In an adjusted analysis, researchers found no difference between patients who received regional and those who received general anesthesia or between patients who received both forms of ane…