Otto Aufranc Award: A Multicenter,Randomized Study of Outpatient versus Inpatient Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background

Length of stay after total hip arthroplasty (THA) has decreased over the last two decades. However, published studies that have examined same-day and early discharge protocols after THA have been done in highly selected patient groups operated on by senior surgeons in a nonrandomized fashion without control subjects.

Questions/purposes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare patients undergoing THA who are discharged on the same day as the surgery (“outpatient,” less than 12-hour stay) with those who are discharged after an overnight hospital stay (“inpatient”) with regard to the following outcomes: (1) postoperative pain; (2) perioperative complications and healthcare provider visits (readmission, emergency department or physician office); and (3) relative work effort for the surgeon’s office staff.

Methods

A prospective, randomized study was conducted at two high-volume adult reconstruction centers between July 2014 and September 2015. Patients who were younger than 75 years of age at surgery, who could ambulate without a walker, who were not on chronic opioids, and whose body mass index was less than 40 kg/m² were invited to participate. All patients had a primary THA performed by the direct anterior approach with spinal anesthesia at a hospital facility. Study data were evaluated using an intention-to-treat analysis. A total of 220 patients participated, of whom 112 were randomized to the outpatient group and 108 were randomized to the inpatient group. Of the 112 patients randomized to outpatient surgery, 85 (76%) were discharged as planned. Of the remaining 27 patients, 26 were discharged after one night in the hospital and one was discharged after two nights. Of the 108 patients randomized to inpatient surgery with an overnight hospital stay, 81 (75%) were discharged as planned. Of the remaining 27 patients, 18 met the discharge criteria on the day of their surgery and elected to leave the same day, whereas nine patients stayed two or more nights.

Results

On the day of surgery, there was no difference in visual analog scale (VAS) pain among patients who were randomized to discharge on the same day and those who were randomized to remain in the hospital overnight (outpatient 2.8 ± 2.5, inpatient 3.3 ± 2.3, mean difference ?0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], ?1.1 to 0.1, p = 0.12). On the first day after surgery, outpatients had higher VAS pain (at home) than inpatients (3.7 ± 2.3 versus 2.8 ± 2.1, mean difference 0.9, 95% CI, 0.3–1.5, p = 0.005). With the numbers available, there was no difference in the number of reoperations, hospital readmissions without reoperation, emergency department visits without hospital readmission, or acute office visits. At 4-week followup, there was no difference in the number of phone calls and emails with the surgeon’s office (outpatient: 2.4 ± 1.9, inpatient: 2.4 ± 2.2, mean difference 0, 95% CI, ?0.5 to 0.6, p = 0.94).

Conclusions

Outpatient THA can be implemented in a defined patient population without requiring additional work for the surgeon’s office. Because 24% (27 of 112) of patients planning to have outpatient surgery were not able to be discharged the same day, facilities to accommodate an overnight stay should be available.

Level of Evidence

Level I, therapeutic study.

     

2008 Otto Aufranc Award: Component Design and Technique Affect Cement Penetration in Hip Resurfacing

Either excessive or insufficient cement penetration within the femoral head after hip resurfacing influences the risk of femoral failures. However, the factors controlling cement penetration are not yet fully understood. We determined the effect of femoral component design and cementation technique on cement penetration. Six retrieved femoral heads were resurfaced for each implant (BHR, ASR, Conserve Plus, DuROM, ReCAP) using the manufacturers' recommendations for implantation. In addition, the BHR was implanted using the Conserve Plus high-viscosity cementation technique, "BHR/hvt," and vice versa for the Conserve, "Conserve/lvt." The average cement penetration was highest with BHR (65.62% +/- 15.16%) compared with ASR (12.25% +/- 5.12%), Conserve Plus(R) (19.43% +/- 5.28%), DuROM (17.73% +/- 3.96%), and ReCAP (26.09% +/- 5.20%). Cement penetration in BHR/hvt remained higher than all other implants equaling 36.7% +/- 6.6%. Greater femoral component design clearance correlated with cement mantle thickness. Femoral component design in hip resurfacing plays a major role in cement penetration.     

Risk Factors for Iliopsoas Tendinopathy After Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundIliopsoas tendinopathy is a cause of groin pain following total hip arthroplasty (THA). With the anterior approach becoming increasingly popular, our aim was to determine the prevalence of iliopsoas tendinopathy following anterior approach THA, to identify risk factors and to determine an influence on patient-reported outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective case-control study of prospectively recorded data on 2,120 primary anterior approach THA (1,815 patients). The diagnosis of iliopsoas tendinopathy was based on (1) persistent postoperative groin pain, triggered by hip flexion; (2) absence of dislocation, infection, loosening, or fracture; and (3) decrease of pain after fluoroscopy-guided iliopsoas tendon sheet injection with xylocaine and corticosteroid. Outcomes included hip reconstruction (inclination/anteversion and leg-length), complication rates, reoperation rates, and patient-reported outcomes including Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.ResultsForty four patients (46 THAs) (2.2%) were diagnosed with iliopsoas tendinopathy. They were younger than patients who did not have iliopsoas tendinopathy (51 years [range, 27-76] versus 62 years [range, 20-90]; P < .001). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that younger age (P < .001) and presence of a spine fusion (P = .008) (odds ratio 4.6) were the significant predictors of iliopsoas tendinopathy. These patients had lower Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores, reported more often low back pain (odds ratio 4.8), and greater trochanter pain (odds ratio 5.4).ConclusionWe found an incidence of 2.2% of iliopsoas tendinopathy patients after anterior approach THA that compromised outcomes. Younger age and previous spine fusion were identified as most important risk factors. These patients were 5 times more likely to report low back pain and greater trochanter pain post-THA.     

Incidence and Risk Factors for Deep Surgical Site Infection After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review

Although deep surgical site infection (SSI) is a major complication of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), there are conflicting data regarding the incidence of deep SSI, and no comprehensive evaluation of the associated risk factors has been undertaken. We performed a systematic review of the literature; undertaking computer-aided searches of electronic databases, assessment of methodological quality, and a best-evidence synthesis. The incidence of SSI ranged from 0.2% before discharge to 1.1% for the period up to and including 5 years post surgery. Greater severity of a pre-existing illness and a longer duration of surgery were found to be independent risk factors for deep SSI. There is a need for high-quality, prospective studies to further identify modifiable risk factors for deep SSI after THA.     

Risk Factors for Nerve Injury After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case-Control Study

Background

Postsurgical acute nerve injury is rare but potentially devastating following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Previous literature suggests a wide range of incidence from 0.1% to 7.6%. Confirmed risk factors for these injuries remain unclear.

Severe Obesity Increases Risk of Infection After Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of obesity has resulted in an increased number of revision total hip arthroplasties (rTHAs) performed in patients with a high body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study is to evaluate whether obesity negatively affects (1) complication rate, (2) reoperation and revision rate, and (3) patient-reported outcome in rTHA.MethodsIn this registry-based study, we prospectively followed 444 rTHAs (cup: n = 265, stem: n = 57, both: n = 122) performed in a specialized high-volume orthopedic center between 2013 and 2015. The number of complications, and reoperation and revision surgery was registered until 5 years postoperatively. Oxford Hip Score (OHS) was evaluated preoperatively, and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Patients were categorized based on BMI to nonobese (<30 kg/m², n = 328), obese (30-35 kg/m², n = 82), and severe obese (≥35 kg/m², n = 34).ResultsSevere obese patients, but not obese patients, had higher risks of complications and re-revision than nonobese patients. In particular, the risk of infection following rTHA was higher in severe obese patients (24%) compared to nonobese patients (3%; relative risk, 7.7). Severe obese patients had overall poorer OHS than nonobese patients, but improvement in OHS did not differ between severe obese and nonobese patients. No differences between obese and nonobese groups on OHS were observed.ConclusionIn our study, severe obesity was associated with an increased risk of infection following rTHA. Patients with high BMI should be counseled appropriately before surgery.     

Prevalence of Modifiable Surgical Site Infection Risk Factors in Hip and Knee Joint Arthroplasty Patients at an Urban Academic Hospital

Surgical site infections after hip and knee arthroplasty can be devastating if they lead to periprosthetic joint infection. We examined the prevalence of the modifiable risk factors for surgical site infection described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Patient Safety Committee. Our study of 300 cases revealed that only 20% of all cases and 7% of revision cases for infection had no modifiable risk factors. The most common risk factors were obesity (46%), anemia (29%), malnutrition (26%), and diabetes (20%). Cases with obesity or diabetes were associated with all histories of remote orthopedic infection, 89% of urinary tract infections, and 72% of anemia cases. The high prevalence of several modifiable risk factors demonstrates that there are multiple opportunities for perioperative optimization of such comorbidities.     

The Otto Aufranc Award. Wear and lubrication of metal-on-metal hip implants

The implication of polyethylene wear particles as the dominant cause of periprosthetic osteolysis has created a resurgence of interest in metal-on-metal implants for total hip arthroplasty because of their potential for improved wear performance. Twenty-two cobalt chromium molybdenum metal-on-metal implants were custom-manufactured and tested in a hip simulator. Accelerated wear occurred within the first million cycles followed by a marked decrease in wear rate to low steady-state values. The volumetric wear at 3 million cycles was very small, ranging from 0.15 to 2.56 mm3 for all implants tested. Larger head-cup clearance and increased surface roughness were associated with increased wear. Independent effects on wear of material processing (wrought, cast) and carbon content were not identified. Implant wear decreased with increasing lambda ratio, a parameter used to relate lubricant film thickness to surface roughness, suggesting some degree of fluid film lubrication during testing. This study provided important insight into the design and engineering parameters that affect the wear behavior of metal-on-metal hip implants and indicated that high quality manufacturing can reproducibly lead to very low wear.     

Age and Obesity Are Risk Factors for Adverse Events After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background  

Defining the epidemiology of adverse events after THA will aid in the development of strategies to enhance perioperative care.     

Sarcopenia as a Risk Factor for Prosthetic Infection After Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and function, has been previously linked to an increased risk of morbidity, mortality, and infection after a variety of surgical procedures. This study is the first to evaluate the impact of the psoas-lumbar vertebral index (PLVI), a validated marker for central sarcopenia, on determining post-arthroplasty infection status.

Risk Factors for Total Hip Arthroplasty Aseptic Revision

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient, operative, implant, surgeon, and hospital factors associated with aseptic revision after primary THA in patients registered in a large US Total Joint Replacement Registry. A total of 35,960 THAs registered from 4/2001–12/2010 were evaluated. The 8-year survival rate was 96.7% (95% CI 96.4%–97.0%). Females had a higher risk of aseptic revision than males. Hispanic and Asian patients had a lower risk of revision than white patients. Ceramic-on-ceramic, ceramic-on-conventional polyethylene, and metal-on-conventional polyethylene bearing surfaces had a higher risk of revision than metal-on-highly cross-linked polyethylene. Body mass index, health status, diabetes, diagnosis, fixation, approach, bilateral procedures, head size, surgeon fellowship training, surgeon and hospital volume were not revision risk factors.     

Risk Factors for Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Control Study

The purpose of this study was to identify the specific comorbidities and demographic factors that are independently associated with an increased risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. A case–control study design was used to compare 88 patients who underwent unilateral primary THA and developed PJI with 499 unilateral primary THA patients who did not develop PJI. The impact of 18 comorbid conditions and other demographic factors on PJI was examined. Depression, obesity, cardiac arrhythmia, and male gender were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of PJI in THA patients. This information is important to consider when counseling patients on the risks associated with elective THA, and for risk-adjusting publicly reported THA outcomes.