Anaesthesia
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Multicenter Study
A national survey into the peri-operative anaesthetic management of patients presenting for surgical correction of a fractured neck of femur.
We conducted a national postal survey of trauma anaesthetists in the UK to ascertain current practice for the peri-operative anaesthetic management in patients with fractured necks of femur. We received 155 replies from 218 questionnaires sent (71.1% response rate). Regional anaesthesia was preferred by 75.8% of respondents, with 95.5% of these employing a spinal technique. ⋯ Continuous epidural or nerve block infusions were used rarely. Of the anaesthetists, 50.6% would only request a pre-operative echo if there were suspicious signs or symptoms in patients with a previously undiagnosed heart murmur. The peri-operative management of these patients can be readily improved.