Anaesthesia for joint replacement surgery

Abstract

Joint replacement, especially hip and knee, are increasingly common elective orthopaedic procedures. Patients who undergo these operations are usually elderly and may have multiple comorbidities requiring careful perioperative management. Specific issues include deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) prophylaxis and use of regional anaesthesia, potential blood loss and hypothermia, application of pneumatic tourniquet and use of bone cement, and postoperative mobilization. There is a trend for developing clinical pathways or protocols from preoperative assessment through postoperative pain management to improve outcomes and enhance recovery in these patients.