Authors' objectives: The objective of this rapid review is to examine the safety and effectiveness of regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia among patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty.

Authors' recommendations: From the examination of 1 systematic review of randomized controlled trials as part of the rapid review: Based on very low quality of evidence, there was no significant difference in mortality for patients who received regional anesthesia versus those who received general anesthesia for primary knee arthroplasty. Based on very low quality of evidence, there was no significant difference in hospital length of stay for patients who received regional anesthesia versus those who received general anesthesia for primary knee arthroplasty. From the examination of observational studies as part of the addendum to the rapid review: Based on low-quality evidence, there was a statistically significant decrease in 30-day mortality among patients who received regional versus general anesthesia for primary knee arthroplasty. Based on low-quality evidence, there was no significant different in hospital length of stay among patients who received regional versus general anesthesia for primary knee arthroplasty.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/eds/rapid-reviews/anesthesia-knee-arthroplasty-131120-en.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Quality Ontario

Contact Address: Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5

Contact Name: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca

Contact Email: OH-HQO_hta-reg@ontariohealth.ca

Copyright: Health Quality Ontario