Pain, Analgesic Use, and Patient Satisfaction Following Hip Fracture Surgery
One thousand six hundred patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures were randomized to receive either spinal anesthesia (n=795) or general anesthesia (n=805). Pain scores using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were assessed from postoperative day 1 to 3 and again at 60, 180, and 365 days. Prescription analgesic use was measured at 60, 180, and 365 days postoperatively, and satisfaction with anesthesia care using the Bauer anesthesia satisfaction questionnaire at postoperative day 3 or discharge. Pain scores were similar between the two groups from 24 hours to 365 days postoperatively. The spinal anesthesia group presented with higher rates of analgesic use at 60 days. Satisfaction did not differ between the two groups.