Epidural Anesthesia versus General Anesthesia for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Influences on Perioperative Cognitive Function and Deep Vein Thrombosis

PURPOSE: This research mainly discussed the impacts of epidural anesthesia (EA) and general anesthesia (GA) on perioperative cognitive function (CF) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing TKA in our hospital between July 2015 and October 2021 were selected, of which 74 patients received EA (research group) and the other 50 patients received GA (control group). Perioperative CF, DVT, stress response indicators (norepinephrine, NE; cortisol, Cor), and heart rate (HR) levels were observed and compared. Risk factors affecting DVT of TKA patients were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The research group had statistically better CF than the control group, with notably lower NE, Cor, and HR levels and incidence of DVT. Logistic regression analysis showed that the type of anesthesia and MoCA were risk factors for DVT in TKA patients. CONCLUSION: EA is more feasible for patients undergoing TKA, which is conducive to improving their CF, relieving stress responses, and reducing the incidence of DVT, with a certain sedative effect.