Anesthesia for Vascular Surgery - Amputations

General Considerations

General ConsiderationsAmputations can be performed under general or regional anesthesia. While regional techniques suffice physiologically as a primary anesthetic, most patients strongly prefer general anesthesia due to the emotional nature of the operation. There is no mortality difference between regional and general anesthesia. Regardless, insertion of an epidural catheter or perineural block is typically recommended for postoperative pain control. Postoperative stump pain is effectively treated with either continuous perineural infusion of bupivacaine or epidural infusion of bupivacaine combined with an opioid.

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