The authors present the results of retrospective analysis of data collected from 246 patients who underwent total hip replacement at the University Hospital Pilsen between November 1, 1997 and April 30, 1999. There is compared blood loss during general to spinal anesthesia with respect to the duration of a procedure. There was not observed a difference in a blood loss between the two anesthesia groups. Surgical procedure of total hip replacement lasting more than 100 minutes was associated with significantly greater blood loss, irrespectively of the type of anesthesia provided.

        Key words: general anesthesia – spinal anesthesia – transfusion requirements – duration of operation