Anaesthesia for hip fracture: outcomes for regional versus general
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A prospective study to compare incidence of pulmonary and extra pulmonary complications in the peri-operative period in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery when administered either general or neuraxial anaesthesia (PEPCOM-Hip).
IRAS ID
188891
Contact name
Martin Shields
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the UK, over 70,000 patients present with fractured neck of femur every year. This condition is associated with a 7.5 % risk of mortality within 30 days (NHFD February 2016). The majority die from pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. This is a prospective study on emergency hip fracture patients, during which they will be randomised to one of two current standards of care; spinal or general anaesthesia. This will be carried out in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and all patients over the age of 65 having hip fracture surgery are eligible for the study. It is anticipated that recruitment for the study will take place for two years. Patients will be excluded if they do not consent to take part or their personal consultee or independent doctor fails to give assent. Patients will also be excluded if they have clotting abnormalities in their blood due to underlying medical problems or drug therapy, if they have a known severe narrowing of their aortic valve or localised infection over the skin on the back, contraindicating the use of spinal anaesthesia. Patients with a known history of allergy to any of the proposed medications used in either group will also be excluded. Patients who take part will be followed up postoperatively until discharge, as well as having longterm outcome data collected after discharge. Longterm outcome data includes hospital length of stay, 30 and 120 day survival, as well as survival at one year.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0147
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion