EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA FOR ORTHOPEDIC HIP SURGERY IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Epidural anesthesia is a technique that involves administering local anesthetic close to the spinal cord to block the sensation of pain in a specific region of the body. In orthopedic hip surgeries in the elderly, it is often chosen due to its effective analgesic effect and lower overall impact on the body compared to general anesthesia. However, the decision on the type of anesthesia should be made based on individual medical assessment. Epidural anesthesia works by temporarily blocking pain signals transmitted by nerves in the spinal cord region. A local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space, which is located outside the membrane surrounding the spinal cord. This impedes the conduction of nerve impulses, resulting in numbness and reduced pain sensation in the specific area of ​​the body where the anesthesia is administered. It is a common option for surgeries and procedures involving lower areas of the body, such as orthopedic hip surgery. The objective of this study is to understand the action of epidural anesthesia in this type of procedure. The results of epidural anesthesia generally include the absence of pain in the affected region during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, as epidural anesthesia allows for greater preservation of respiratory function and other autonomic reflexes compared to general anesthesia, it may contribute to faster postoperative recovery.