Anaesthesia for fractured neck of femur

Abstract

Fracture of the femoral neck is a common injury in the elderly, and many patients have significant co-morbidities. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving anaesthetists, medical physicians and orthopaedic surgeons. Although early surgery within 24-48 hours is beneficial, there may be medical conditions that need prior optimization. Both general anaesthesia and regional neuroaxial anaesthesia can be used, although it appears regional anaesthesia is preferred by most anaesthetists as it is associated with reduced early postoperative mortality, less deep vein thrombosis, less fatal pulmonary embolism, and fewer pulmonary complications. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.