Nasiri E, Nemat R, Sohail Ârshadi F, Mohammadpour R. A comparison of side effects and cost for spinal and general anesthesia in geriatric patients . J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2006; 16 (51) :59-69
URL:
http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-99-en.html
Abstract: (22363 Views)
Background and purpose: There is still debate regarding advantages and disadvantages of regional versus general anesthesia techniques. Some studies suggested that regional anesthesia technique probably reduces postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Ïn this retrospective historical cohort study, we compared the cost-effectiveness for spinal and general anesthesia in elderly patients.
Materials and methods : Â total of 120 medical records of elderly participants whom underwent general or spinal anesthesia for orthopedic and general surgery in one year period at Üniversity hospitals were analyzed.
The cost of anesthesia technique including the and post operative main complications were determined. The techniques were compared on the basis of anesthesia costs and complications.
Results : The cost of drugs for general anesthesia was more than that for spinal (92488+/- 19871) V.S (23549 +/- 7213) rails, p<0.000). The cost of devices for general and spinal anesthesia, were
(33073 +/- 7788) and (34461 +/- 8452) respectively (p<0.444).
The ratio between cost and complications (such as nausia and vomiting) of spinal and general anesthesia was 2.86 . We found that spinal anesthesia was more cost effective than general anesthesia for geriatric patients.
Çonclusion : We concluded that cost complications of anesthesia techniques largely depend on the cost of drugs and anesthetic devices. Ïn our teaching hospitals, spinal anesthesia has economic advantages over general anesthesia.