Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
The Impact of Anaesthesia Method on the Use of Anaesthesia Department Resources in Total Knee Arthroplasty
By Lahtinen K, Reponen E and Skants N.
Abstract
Background
Spinal and general anaesthesia seem to lead to similar health-related outcomes in total knee arthroplasty. However, to produce economically and environmentally sustainable health care, we should also consider other factors. Current guidelines recommend preferring regional anaesthesia and total intravenous anaesthesia to reduce environmental impact. In this study, we analysed time, costs, and disposable materials associated with spinal anaesthesia and total intravenous anaesthesia during total knee arthroplasty.
Methods
A total of 395 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomised to spinal or general anaesthesia. Outcomes were total operating room time, non-operative operating room time, post-anaesthesia care unit time, use of drugs affecting haemodynamics, and the need for arterial cannulation and urinary catheterisation. In addition, we evaluated the financial costs and waste produced by single-use equipment and medicines in both anaesthesia methods.