Effects of general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia on coagulation function during total knee replacement in the elderly

Huashan MA; Jinshan LIU; Ling TIAN; Chuanzhen DONG; Liyong CHEN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

In perioperative period of total knee replacement in elderly patients, it is crucial to maintain the normal function of blood coagulation. However, many factors may influence coagulation function of patients in perioperative period. Of them, anesthesia is an important factor. Different anesthesia methods wil produce different effects on blood coagulation. Appropriate anesthesia methods should be selected in the clinic to maintain the stability of coagulation function.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the effect of application of general anesthesia and epidural anesthesia in elderly knee replacement and the effects on the function of blood coagulation.

METHODS:

A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 135 elderly patients after total knee replacement in Dongying Hospital of Shandong Provincial Hospital Group from September 2012 to September 2013. Al patients were divided into control group (67 cases;general anesthesia) and observation group (68 cases;epidural anesthesia) according to the mode of anesthesia. Coagulation indexes and D-dimer levels were observed before anesthesia, 6 hours after anesthesia, and 1 day after replacement in both groups. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis was measured and compared between the two groups in 12-month fol ow-up. RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION:

Through the statistics and comparison, no significant difference was detected in blood coagulation indexes at different time points in the two groups (al P>0.05). However, significant differences in D-dimer levels were detectable between the two groups at 6 hours after anesthesia and in the morning at 1 day after replacement. D-dimer levels were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (al P<0.05). The incidences of deep venous thrombosis were 3%and 21%in the observation and control groups, respectively, showing significant differences (P<0.05). These results suggest that epidural anesthesia during elderly totak knee replacement obtained good effects, and could maintain stable coagulation function.