To investigate the effects of intrathecal anesthesia in elderly patients with lower limb fractures.

102 elderly patients with lower limb fracture admitted to the First People's Hospital of Shuangliu District in Chengdu during October 2019 to November 2020 were enrolled in the study. According to random number table, the patients were divided into intrathecal anesthesia group and general anesthesia group with 51 patients in each group. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), heart rate, cognitive function, delirium symptoms and postoperative complications were observed in both groups. Patients' cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and delirium symptoms were evaluated by confusion assessment method (CAM).

There was no significant difference in hemodynamics, cognitive function and delirium symptoms between the two groups before anesthesia (P > 0.05). After anesthesia, the MAP, heart rate and SpO2 in the two groups were significantly lower than those before anesthesia (P < 0.05). The MMSE score in the general anesthesia group was significantly lower than that before anesthesia, and the CAM score was significantly higher than that before anesthesia (P < 0.05). All of the above indexes of patients in intrathecal anesthesia group were better than those in general anesthesia group after anesthesia (P < 0.05). The total incidence of complications in intrathecal anesthesia group was 7.84%, which was significantly lower than that in general anesthesia group (25.49%) (χ²=5.718, P < 0.05).

Intrathecal anesthesia can effectively stabilize the hemodynamics of elderly patients with lower limb fracture, with less cognitive decline, delirium symptoms and complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion.