Does Neuraxial Anesthesia Decrease Transfusion Rates Following Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Perioperative transfusions increase complications and cost following THA. Current series evaluating neuraxial anesthesia and blood loss following THA are small and utilize heterogeneous populations. Using the NSQIP database we compared transfusion rates following THA with neuraxial and general anesthesia. Between 2005 and 2012, 28,857 THAs (11,317 neuraxial anesthesia) were identified. Univariate analysis showed lower rates of transfusion, pneumonia, unplanned intubation, prolonged intubation, stroke, all complications, and medical complications in the neuraxial group. Operative time and length of stay were shorter with neuraxial anesthesia as well. After adjusting for patient comorbidities, a multivariate regression model showed fewer transfusions with neuraxial anesthesia. The multivariate regression model showed additional independent risk factors for transfusion including gender, operative time, elevated INR, and a history of hypertension, metastatic cancer, and renal failure.