The influence of various anesthesia techniques on postoperative recovery and discharge criteria among geriatric patients.

Objective: We aim to compare selective spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia with regard to postoperative recovery and fast-track eligibility in day surgeries.

Materials And Method: Sixty geriatric outpatient cases, with ASA II-III physical status and requiring short-duration transurethral intervention, were enrolled in the study. The cases were split into 2 groups: as general anesthesia (Group GA) and selective spinal anesthesia (Group SSA). Group GA (n = 30) received propofol 2 mg kg⁻¹ (until loss of eyelash reflex), remifentanil induction 0.5-1 µg kg⁻¹, and laryngeal mask. Maintenance was achieved by 4-6% desflurane in 60% N₂O and 40% O₂ along with remifentanil infusion at 0.05 µg /kg⁻¹ /min⁻¹. Drugs were discontinued after the withdrawal of the ureteroscope, and extubation was carried out with 100% O₂. Group SSA (n = 30) received 0.5% spinal anesthesia via L4-5 space by 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 5 mg. Anesthesia preparation time, time to surgical anesthesia level, postoperative fast-tracking, and time to White-Song recovery score of 12, were noted. In the operating room, we evaluated hemodynamics, nausea/vomiting, surgeon and patient satisfaction with anesthesia, perioperative midazolam-fentanyl administration, postoperative pain, and discharge time.

Results: Anesthesia preparation time, length of surgery, anesthesia-related time in the operating room, time to sit, and time to walk were significantly low in Group GA (p < 0.05), whereas time to fast-track eligibility, length of stay in the PACU, discharge time, and other parameters were similar in both of the groups.

Conclusion: While anesthesia preparation time, length of surgery, start time of surgery, time to sit, and time to walk were shorter in the General Anesthesia group, time to fast-track eligibility, phase 1 recovery time, and discharge time were similar among patients subjected to selective spinal anesthesia.