Factors influencing length of stay following primary total knee replacement in a UK specialist orthopaedic centre.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors significant in influencing LOS following primary TKA in a UK specialist arthroplasty centre.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed factors affecting LOS of 514 patients who underwent primary TKA in a single specialist arthroplasty centre in the UK over a one-year period. Surgical and patient factors that may influence LOS were recorded.


RESULTS
The median LOS was 5days. 85% were discharged within 10days. Those staying longer were classified as long stay (up to 3months). The only surgical factor that influenced length of stay was postoperative blood transfusion (p<0.0001). Females stayed longer as did those who lived in more deprived areas. These factors did not remain significant in multivariate analysis. The other most significant predictors at multivariate analysis were pre-operative patient factors such as poor anaesthetic fitness (ASA3 and ASA4) (p=0.001), BMI=30-35 (p=0.04), BMI>35 (p=0.009) and age>80 (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Length of stay is largely due to case mix and this should be considered when planning a local arthroplasty service.


METHODS
2-II.
CT2 Core Trauma & Orthopaedics, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom. Sam.jonas@doctors.org.uk
Sam C
SC
Jonas
Hannah K
HK
Smith
Peter S
PS
Blair
Peter
P
Dacombe
Adrian E
AE
Weale
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009985:Orthopedics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom