FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SELECTION OF ANESTHETIC TECHNIQUES IN UPPER LIMB SURGERY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT ORTHOPEDIC AND REHABILITATION HOSPITAL - HO CHI MINH CITY

Background: The appropriate selection of anesthetic techniques in upper limb surgery plays a crucial role in ensuring patient safety, effective pain control, and optimal postoperative outcomes. However, in Vietnam, data on real-world clinical practice regarding anesthetic choices remain limited. Objectives: To investigate the distribution of anesthetic techniques and analyze factors associated with the selection of general anesthesia in upper limb surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 151 patients undergoing upper limb surgery at the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital - Ho Chi Minh City Data collection was performed after the study had been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Nguyen Tat Thanh University. Variables included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, type of surgery, and operative duration. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: General anesthesia was the most commonly used technique (39.1%), followed by brachial plexus block (35.8%) and local anesthesia (25.2%). No statistically significant associations were found between anesthetic technique and age, sex, BMI, or comorbidities (p > 0.05). In contrast, the type of surgery and operative duration were significantly associated with anesthetic choice (p < 0.001), with general anesthesia being preferred for more complex and longer procedures. Conclusion: The selection of anesthetic techniques in upper limb surgery is primarily determined by surgical characteristics rather than patient-related factors. These findings provide practical evidence for optimizing anesthetic strategies in clinical practice.