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Abstract

Anesthesia choice affects postoperative recovery, complication rates, and patient satisfaction such that the choice of anesthesia becomes important in the urogenital surgery. However, most institutions use general anesthesia (GA), while increasing use of spinal anesthesia (SA) is being considered because it has the potential to reduce postoperative complications and improve recovery outcomes. A study was carried out to compare the effects of SA and GA with respect to postoperative recovery time, complications, pain management, patient satisfaction in patients undergoing urogenital surgeries. The objective was to conduct an observational study in a comparative fashion between patients, who, had urogenital surgeries performed with SA or GA respectively. Statistical analysis was done to assess postoperative outcomes such as recovery time, pain scores, incidence of complications, and patient satisfaction. Appropriate statistical tests were used to determine the significance of difference between the two anesthesia groups. The results showed that SA led to faster postoperative recovery, lower level of pain and lower opioid requirement than GA.  Patients in the GA group had a higher incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), respiratory complications, and cognitive dysfunction compared with the SA patients, and vice versa for urinary retention. Furthermore, SA is associated with a higher patient satisfaction given that as a result fewer postoperative side effects and quicker recovery are experienced. However, SA was found to be a suitable anesthesia for urogenital surgical patients with the promise of faster recovery and postoperative comfort. Patients’ selection to avoid particular risks such as urinary retention is necessary.
Keywords: Spinal anesthesia, general anesthesia, urogenital surgeries, postoperative recovery, pain management, patient satisfaction.