Effects of spinal-epidural anesthesia combined with intravenous etomidate on adrenocortical and immune stress in elderly patients undergoing anorectal surgery: A retrospective analysis

The management of anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing surgery presents unique challenges, particularly in mitigating stress responses and ensuring stability. Etomidate may alleviate adrenocortical and immune stress. This study aims to investigate the anesthetic effects of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) supplemented with etomidate during anorectal surgery in elderly patients. The medical records of 49 cases treated with CSEA and etomidate (ETO group) and 48 cases treated with CSEA alone (control group) were reviewed and analyzed. All patients received ropivacaine hydrochloride for anesthesia, with the ETO group additionally receiving an infusion of etomidate for sedation. Parameters, such as arterial blood gas, visual analog scale (VAS), Ramsay sedation scale (RSS), serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels, proinflammatory cytokines, and lymphocyte ratios, were assessed at different time points. Compared to the control group, the ETO group showed increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), decreased heart rate (HR), and elevated arterial SpO2 30 min after anesthesia. The ETO group also had higher RSS scores, lower VAS scores, and reduced serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels. Additionally, decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-8, were observed, along with an increase in the regulatory cytokine IL-10. An increased proportion of CD4+ T cells and a higher CD4/CD8 ratio were also noted. This study demonstrates the benefits of using etomidate to mitigate adrenocortical and immune stress in elderly patients undergoing anorectal surgery.