Thirty-day mortality and morbidity after total knee arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures to date. It is estimated that over 130,000 of TKAs are performed in the United States every year. Whilst the procedure is safe, it nevertheless carries a risk of perioperative mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to report the mortality rate within 30 days after a TKA, as well as to assess the incidence of early postoperative morbidities.


METHODS
We reviewed a total of 2219 TKAs performed by multiple surgeons in our centre from 1998 to 2001. All mortalities within 30 days of a TKA were recorded. Morbidities such as infection, thromboembolic phenomenon, and any re-admissions within 30 days of operation or 15 days of discharge were recorded.


RESULTS
The mortality rate within 30 days of a TKA was 0.27% (6 of 2219 patients). The incidence of early postoperative infection was 1.8%, of which 1.44% were superficial and 0.36% were deep infections. There were 3 cases (0.13%) of pulmonary embolism and 22 cases (0.99%) of deep vein thrombosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The 30-day mortality rate, and the incidence of infection after TKA performed in our institution is comparable to other centres around the world, and further emphasises that TKA is a safe procedure. However, the small number of mortalities in this study does not allow us to identify a predominant cause of perioperative mortality.
Seah
Victor W T
VW
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. victor_seah@yahoo.com
Singh
Gurvinder
G
Yang
Kuang Ying
KY
Yeo
Seng Jin
SJ
Lo
Ngai Nung
NN
Seow
Kang Hong
KH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013923:Thromboembolism; D017211:Treatment Failure; D020246:Venous Thrombosis