Late Complications Following Elective Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Who, When, and How?
Improved pain management and early mobilization protocols have increased interest in the feasibility of short stay (<24 hours) or outpatient total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasty. However, concerns exist regarding patient safety and readmissions. The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of in-hospital complications following THA/TKA, to create a model to identify comorbidities associated with the risk of developing major complications >24 hours postoperatively, and to validate this model against another consecutive series of patients.



We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 802 patients who underwent elective primary THA and TKA over a 9-month period. The mean age was 62.3 years. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative readmission data were entered into an arthroplasty database.



Of the 802 patients, 382 experienced a complication postoperatively. Of these, 152 (19%) required active management. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified cirrhosis (odds ratio [OR], 5.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-33.07; P = .044), congestive heart failure (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.50-6.44; P = .002), and chronic kidney disease (OR, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.21-6.71; P < .001) as risk factors for late complications. One comorbidity was associated with a 77% probability of developing a major postoperative complication. This model was validated against an independent dataset of 1012 patients.



With improved pain management and mobilization protocols, there is increasing interest in short stay and outpatient THA and TKA. Patients with cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, or chronic kidney disease should be excluded from early discharge total joint arthroplasty protocols.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Joshua C
JC
Rozell
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
P Maxwell
PM
Courtney
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jonathan R
JR
Dattilo
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Chia H
CH
Wu
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Gwo Chin
GC
Lee
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007719:Knee Joint; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010045:Outpatients; D010351:Patient Discharge; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
comorbidity; complication; short stay; total hip arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty