To examine the occurrence of 30-day mortality, and other procedure related morbidities in cohorts of patient receiving neuraxial anesthesia (NAX) or general anesthesia (GA) in the setting of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Historically, NAX has been recommended for patients undergoing TURP permitting monitoring of consciousness and early diagnosis of absorption-related hyponatremia. We aim to analyze a broader comparison of mortality and other associated morbidities regarding the form of anesthesia utilized.

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was accessed and queried from January 2010 to December 2016 for TURP. 28,486 TURP cases were identified and further stratified by the type anesthesia administration, NAX 7,261 and GA 21,225. Chi-square analyses and Kaplan-Meier tests were performed for univariate comparisons. Using propensity score, data were optimally (1:1) matched to account for potential confounding variables. Outcomes were then compared for NAX vs. GA with a primary endpoint of 30-day mortality, followed by secondary endpoint of adverse outcomes reported per NSQIP.

Prior to matching, 30-day mortality was found to be 0.4% in the NAX cohort and 0.7% GA. 12,180 patients equally matched between the 2 groups. NAX was found to be superior to GA in terms of 30-day survival benefit (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 –0.92, P <0.05), sepsis (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50 –0.73, P <0.001), and return to operating room (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60 –0.98, P <0.05) when comparing matched cohorts. NAX was associated with lower incidence of overall adverse clinical outcomes 12.4% vs 13.7% (P = 0.036).

NAX was found to have statistically relevant advantage for 30-day postoperative outcomes when compared to GA for TURP based on NSQIP database reporting.