Comparing spinal and general anesthesia for hip fracture surgery

Spinal Versus General Anesthesia on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Elderly Patients With Delayed Operation of Hip Fracture

NA · Tongji Hospital · NCT06425627

This study tests whether spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia leads to better breathing results after hip surgery in older patients who had to wait more than two days for their operation.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorTongji Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
Trial IDNCT06425627 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the differences in postoperative pulmonary complications between spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia in patients aged 65 and older undergoing delayed hip surgery. The main outcome measure is the arterial partial pressure of oxygen 30 minutes after surgery, assessed through pulmonary ultrasound and other monitoring techniques. The study focuses on patients who have experienced a delay of more than 48 hours from diagnosis to surgery for hip fractures. By comparing these two anesthesia methods, the study aims to determine which approach may lead to better respiratory outcomes post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 65 and older with specific types of hip fractures who have experienced a delay of more than 48 hours before surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to walk without assistance, require emergency surgery, or have significant comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify the anesthesia method that minimizes postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing hip surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have explored anesthesia methods in surgical settings, but this specific comparison in the context of delayed hip surgery is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients ≥ 65 years old
* ASA Class I \~ III
* Surgical repair of femoral neck, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures
* The time from diagnosis to surgery is more than 48 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to walk about 3 meters or across a room without assistance before the fracture
* Emergency surgery
* Congestive heart failure, asthma, anemia (Hb \< 90 g/L), hypoalbuminemia (ALB \< 35g/L)
* Abnormal coagulation function
* Severe aortic stenosis
* Injection site infection or increased intracranial pressure
* Patients have participated in previous trials or have been determined by a surgeon or anesthesiologist to be unsuitable for randomization
* The written informed consent of the patient or his/her representative cannot be obtained

Where this trial is running

Wuhan, Hubei

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Pulmonary Complication, Anesthesia, Hip Fractures, Hip fracture, delayed surgery, pulmonary complication, spinal anesthesia, general anesthesia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.