Research published in The Journal of Arthroplasty examined the complications associated with outpatient total joint arthroplasty to determine high-risk patients that should be excluded from undergoing the procedure.
The researchers studied 169,406 patients who underwent outpatient total hip or knee arthroplasty between 2011 and 2014 from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Readmission, reoperation, 30-day complications, demographics and medical comorbidities were compared between outpatient and inpatient procedures. Out of the 169,406 procedures, 1,220 were outpatient.
Here are the key study findings;
1. The outpatient group had a complication rate of 8 percent. The inpatient group had a complication rate of 16 percent.
2. Patients older than 70 years with a history of smoking, cardiac issues and diabetes had a higher risk of readmission and complications.
3. Outpatient total joint arthroplasty alone did not increase the risk of readmission or reoperation.
4. "Outpatient TJA may be a safe option, but only in select, healthier patients," the researchers concluded. "Care should be taken to extrapolate these results to an outpatient facility, where complications may be more difficult to manage."
Click here to read the full study.