Outcomes (morbidities and mortality) after long bone lower limb surgeries: A prospective comparison of spinal versus general anaesthesia

This prospective observational comparative study will be conducted to evaluate differences in postoperative morbidity and mortality between patients receiving spinal anaesthesia and those receiving general anaesthesia for long bone lower limb surgeries.

To ensure inclusion in the study, each patient will be subjected to a detailed pre-anaesthetic evaluation on the basis of a detailed history from the patient and thorough physical examination as well as pre-anaesthetic airway assessment (mouth opening, thyromental distance, Mallampati grade, dentition, etc) will be done. Basic demographic data like name, age, sex, height, and body weight for BMI will be recorded. Complete general physical examination, BMI check, investigations and ASA grading will be done. In all the patients, baseline investigations will be done to rule out any abnormalities. The purpose and detailed procedure and visual analogue scale (VAS) will be explained to the patients. Written informed consent will be taken from all the patients about the procedure. All patients will be kept nil by mouth as per standard guidelines before the scheduled time of surgery.  After a complete pre-anaesthetic evaluation, patients will be taken into the operation theatre and standard ASA monitoring parameters like SPO2, blood pressure, ECG, EtCO2, etc. will be attached. After the decision for the type of anaesthesia (according to the patient’s consent and associated co-morbidities of patients) will be taken by the anaesthesiologist involved in the patient’s management during surgery. The anaesthesia (spinal anaesthesia or general anaesthesia) will be given to patients according to the needs of the patient and as per institutional guidelines. All the patients will be monitored during the perioperative period as per protocol and will be followed up for 30 days after the surgery.