Safety of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty. A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The safety of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement remains controversial. Some studies have demonstrated a higher rate of serious complications, including death, following bilateral procedures, whereas others have suggested no increase in the complication rate. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the safety of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement with that of staged bilateral and unilateral total knee replacements. METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted to identify all citations, from 1966 to 2005, concerning bilateral total knee replacement. All of the English-language abstracts were obtained. A multistage assessment was then performed to identify articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria for the study. All randomized, prospective studies reporting the outcome of bilateral total knee replacement were included. The details of the reported data were extracted, and an extensive analysis of relevant variables was carried out. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty published articles were identified, and eighteen that included a total of 27,807 patients (44,684 knees) were included in the meta-analysis. There were 10,930 unilateral total knee replacements, 16,419 simultaneous bilateral total knee replacements, and 458 staged bilateral total knee replacements with at least three months between the operative procedures. The prevalences of pulmonary embolism (odds ratio = 1.8), cardiac complications (odds ratio = 2.49), and mortality (odds ratio = 2.2) were higher after simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement. The prevalence of deep venous thrombosis was lower after simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement, but this difference was not significant. The complication rates after the staged bilateral total knee replacements were similar to those in the patients who had undergone unilateral total knee replacement only. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with staged bilateral or unilateral total knee replacement, simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement carries a higher risk of serious cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, and mortality. The period of time between staged procedures that would eliminate these increased risks could not be determined from this study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.     

Debate: simultaneous bilateral knee replacements: the outcomes justify its use

The purpose of this paper is to assess the morbidity, mortality, and clinical outcome of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty. We reviewed 4100 simultaneous bilateral total knee replacements. The knees were subjected to two Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, with failure equal to revision for aseptic loosening and failure equal to patient death. Complications and Knee Society scores were considered. The average Knee Society knee score was 90 points 3 years postoperatively and 87 points 10 years postoperatively. The complication rates were as follows: deep infection (0.8%), superficial infection (0.3%), cardiac (6 arrhythmia, 5 congestive heart failure, 1 cardiac insufficiency, 3 complete heart block, 2 myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest, and 14 myocardial infarction only) (1.5%), intestinal ileus (0.5%), gastrointestinal ulcer (0.4%), thrombophlebitis (0.9%), cerebrovascular accident (0.3%), and urinary (1 BPH-obstruction, 4 renal failure, 2 transurethral resection of the prostate, 16 urinary tract infection, and 2 urinary retention/incontinence) (1.2%). The 10-year prosthesis survival probability was 98.3%. The 10-year patient survival probability was 78.6%. Twenty-five (1.2%) patients died within the first postoperative year. The patients who died within 1 year postoperatively were older than the rest of the group. Higher age and male gender were factors related to increased mortality. The complication rates and clinical outcomes were similar to unilateral total knee arthroplasty. With regard to death early in the postoperative course, simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty may pose a greater risk to the patient than a unilateral procedure. However, the early deaths may be related to older age at the time of surgery.     

The relative safety of one-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee often require bilateral knee replacement before fulfilling their full ambulatory potential. Despite extensive research there is considerable debate about the risks of performing simultaneous bilateral knee replacements under the same anaesthetic. Our aim was to compare the relative short-term morbidity of one-stage bilateral with unilateral total knee arthroplasty in a retrospective, consecutive cohort of patients. Seventy-two bilateral knee replacements were case-matched for age and gender with 144 unilateral knees. One-stage bilateral arthroplasty was associated with increased morbidity with respect to wound (6.0 vs 0.7%; p = 0.003) and deep prosthetic (3.5% vs 0.7 %; p = 0.02) infections, cardiac complications (3.5% vs 0.7%; p = 0.04) and chest infections (7.0% vs 1.4%; p = 0.04). No differences were observed in the mortality rates (p = 0.30) and risk of thrombo-embolism (p = 0.70). We conclude that one-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty is associated with increased morbidity compared with unilateral knee replacement.     

Staggered bilateral total knee arthroplasty performed four to seven days apart during a single hospitalization

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the types and prevalence of complications associated with bilateral total knee replacement performed four to seven days apart during a single hospitalization and to compare them with those associated with bilateral knee replacement performed sequentially under the same anesthetic session or staged unilateral replacements performed during separate hospitalizations. METHODS: Using a computerized database and medical records, we retrospectively evaluated 332 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral total knee replacement performed by two surgeons. A total of 241 patients underwent staggered bilateral knee replacement with the procedures performed four to seven days apart during one hospitalization, twenty-six underwent sequential bilateral total knee replacement, and sixty-five underwent staged bilateral knee replacement performed during two separate hospitalizations. The data on major complications, including death, return to operating room, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism, and on minor complications, including atrial fibrillation, deep-vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infection, were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients undergoing sequential bilateral total knee replacement and staged bilateral knee replacement had an overall rate of complications that was 2.5 times higher than that of the staggered group. Major complications were rare in all groups, but they occurred most often in the staged bilateral replacement group. The overall rate of complications for the patients who had staggered bilateral knee replacement (13%) was significantly less (p = 0.0009) than that for the patients who had sequential bilateral knee replacement (35%) or staged bilateral knee replacement (31%). The length of inpatient stay for those with staggered total knee arthroplasty was four days longer than that for the sequential arthroplasty group (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Staggered bilateral total knee replacement, with the procedures performed four to seven days apart in a single hospitalization, is a safe and practical method for performing bilateral total knee replacement.     

Results of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement: a study of 1208 knees in 604 patients

Bilateral symptomatic knee arthritis is a common clinical problem. There are conflicting opinions as to the advisability of simultaneous sequential bilateral total knee replacement. Complication rates of primary unilateral knee replacement are well documented and there are several small series that compare the two techniques. The objective of this study was to identify the complication rate of simultaneous sequential bilateral total knee replacement in a large patient population. Over a 13-year period, 604 primary bilateral sequential simultaneous total knee replacements (1208 knees) were performed. Office notes and hospital charts were retrospectively reviewed to obtain age, sex, diagnosis, knee alignment, associated comorbidities, operative protocol, transfusions, and complications. The study results showed 5.1% local and 15.3% systemic complications and 0.7% mortality rate (none in the past 9 years). With appropriate patient selection and operative technique, patients who present with bilateral symptomatic knee arthritis can enjoy the benefits of simultaneous sequential bilateral total knee replacement without increasing their risks of complications.     

Comparison of simultaneous bilateral with unilateral total knee arthroplasty in terms of perioperative complications

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated an increased rate of perioperative complications and morbidity following simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty compared with the rate following unilateral total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of perioperative complications and morbidity associated with simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty with that associated with unilateral total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: The records on all bilateral total knee arthroplasties performed between January 1994 and June 2000 and unilateral total knee arthroplasties performed between January 1995 and June 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. The records on 514 unilateral total knee arthroplasties and 255 bilateral total knee arthroplasties were analyzed to determine demographic information, preoperative comorbidities, perioperative complications, and thirty-day and one-year mortality rates. RESULTS: The rates of some perioperative complications, including myocardial infarction, postoperative confusion, and the need for intensive monitoring, were greater after the bilateral arthroplasties. However, the thirty-day and one-year mortality rates and the risks of pulmonary embolism, infection, and deep venous thrombosis were similar for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of perioperative complications associated with bilateral simultaneous total knee arthroplasty was slightly increased compared with that associated with unilateral total knee arthroplasty, but the mortality rates were similar. Ultimately, the decision to proceed with simultaneous knee replacement should depend on patient preference through informed choice.     

Perioperative morbidity and mortality of 2-team simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has a well-established track record for relieving pain associated with arthritis of the knee joint. The total rate of bilateral TKA has doubled over the past 2 decades, and the rate in women has tripled over that same time period. In patients with bilateral knee arthritis, a decision must be made whether to operate at 2 different settings (staged), a single setting with 1 surgeon (sequential simultaneous), or a single setting with 2 surgeons (2-team simultaneous). The purpose of this study was to examine the perioperative morbidity and mortality of 2-team simultaneous bilateral TKA. Two hundred twenty-seven consecutive 2-team simultaneous bilateral TKA and 216 consecutive unilateral TKA patients were reviewed. Major (deep infection, death, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, revision within the 1-year follow-up) and minor (all other) complications were compared. No deaths occurred, and the major and minor complication rates were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups, but a trend toward higher rates of both major and minor complications existed in the bilateral TKA group. Two-team simultaneous bilateral TKA offers the potential benefits of decreased overall recovery time, decreased overall cost, decreased number of anesthetic administrations, and simultaneous correction of significant deformity. It remains an appropriate option in select patients.     

同期双侧与单侧全膝关节置换治疗膝骨关节炎的比较

[目的]比较同期双侧与单侧全膝关节置换术的安全性及临床疗效.[方法]回顾性分析2000年5月～2009年5月,因骨关节炎行硬膜外麻醉下初次全膝关节置换术患者705例,按同期双侧置换(268例)和单侧置换(437例)分为两组,比较两组患者的围手术期并发症、术后失血量、输血量、住院时间、费用与KSS临床及功能评分等各项指标.[结果]存在围手术期并发症的患者比例,双侧组(15.6％)高于单侧组(7.8％),其中心血管系统并发症发生率双侧组(7.3％)高于单侧组(3.2％).感染、死亡、肺栓塞等围手术期并发症发生率,两组之间差异无统计学意义.术后失血量及输血量双侧组高于单侧组.术后2年KSS临床评分两组间差异无统计学意义,KSS功能评分,双侧组高于单侧组,差异有统计学意义.[结论]对于双侧膝骨关节炎的患者,在硬膜外麻醉下行同期双侧全膝关节置换术经济、高效,且有理想的手术疗效.术前应对患者做全面健康评估,对存在严重合并症,尤其是心血管系统疾病患者,应尽量避免行同期双侧全膝关节置换术.     

A retrospective comparative study of bilateral total knee replacement staged at a one-week interval

The clinical results of bilateral total knee replacement staged at a one-week interval during a single hospital admission were compared with bilateral total knee replacements performed under the same anaesthetic and with bilateral total knee replacements performed during two separate admissions. The data were retrospectively reviewed. All operations had been performed by the same surgeon using the same design of prosthesis at a single institution. The operative time and length of stay for the one-week staged group were comparable with those of the separate admission group but longer than for the patients treated under one anaesthetic. There was a low rate of complications and good clinical outcome in all groups at a mean follow-up of four years (1 to 7.2). The group staged at a one-week interval had the least blood loss (p = 0.004). With appropriate patient selection, bilateral total knee replacement performed under a single anaesthetic, or staged at a one-week interval, is a safe and effective method to treat bilateral arthritis of the knee.     

Simultaneous bilateral hernia repair. A case against conventional wisdom.

The timing of bilateral hernia repair remains controversial. Because of reported high recurrence rates after simultaneous bilateral repair, staged procedures have been suggested. This study determined recurrence and complication rates of unilateral versus simultaneous bilateral repair. Of 659 patients undergoing hernia repair between 1974 and 1980, 333 underwent unilateral repair and 329 had simultaneous bilateral repair. More than 90% of patients were followed until death or a minimum of 60 months (median, 104 months). Perioperative complications were associated with 18% of repairs. More morbidity occurred in the bilateral group. However complication rates for specific events were not significantly different, except for urinary retention, which occurred in 20 patients (6.1%) of the unilateral group and 49 (15%) of the bilateral group (p less than 0.001). Overall 25 recurrences occurred in the unilateral group and 31 in the bilateral group. Recurrence rates at 5 and 9 years were, respectively, 4.8% and 8.8% in the unilateral group and 5.0% and 9.1% in the bilateral group (p = 0.861). These data suggest that simultaneous bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy does not result in increased rates of most postoperative complications or recurrence when compared with unilateral repair.     

Perioperative safety of two-team simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in the obese patient

Background  

Although the rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality with simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty remain a concern, multiple studies have shown the procedure to be safe in selected patient populations. Evidence also remains mixed regarding the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty in obese patients. The purpose of this paper is to compare the rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality in consecutive obese patients undergoing two-team simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty and unilateral total knee arthroplasty.     

Safety and cost benefits of bilateral total knee replacement in an acute hospital

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty of both knees under the one anaesthetic has become a common procedure. Benefits reported include a shorter overall hospital stay and reduced costs. The published studies come from university associated tertiary referral hospitals with well-established research establishments and a vast experience of joint replacement. This study examines the experience of a small hospital to see if similar benefits can be achieved. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed of the synchronous bilateral knee replacements against a match group of bilateral staged knee replacements. Both groups were compared with a control group of unilateral knee replacements. A prospectively conducted review of the synchronous and staged bilateral knee replacement groups was then carried out to assess the clinical outcome in these two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of surgical and medical complications was not statistically different in any group. The bed stay for bilateral surgery was increased by 2 days compared to unilateral surgery with a net saving of 6 days hospital stay for the patient group having both knees replaced at separate operations within 1 year. At an average of 2.5 years post surgery there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between those patients who had both knees replaced either synchronously or at staged intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral knee replacement is a good choice for patient and hospital. Bilateral surgery does not increase the risk of perioperative complications to the patient and reduces the overall cost to the hospital. There is no difference in short to medium term clinical outcome between patients who have had both knees replaced synchronously or at staged intervals. Results comparable in safety, as judged by complication rates and efficiency, as judged by length of stay can be achieved in a smaller metropolitan level 2 hospital environment.     

The safety and efficacy of bilateral simultaneous total hip replacement: an analysis of 2063 cases

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of bilateral simultaneous total hip replacement (THR) and that of staged bilateral THR and unilateral THR was conducted using DerSimonian-Laird heterogeneity meta-analysis. A review of the English-language literature identified 23 citations eligible for inclusion. A total of 2063 bilateral simultaneous THR patients were identified. Meta-analysis of homogeneous data revealed no statistically significant differences in the rates of thromboembolic events (p = 0.268 and p = 0.365) and dislocation (p = 0.877) when comparing staged or unilateral with bilateral simultaneous THR procedures. A systematic analysis of heterogeneous data demonstrated that the mean length of hospital stay was shorter after bilateral simultaneous THR. Higher blood transfusion requirements were expected following bilateral simultaneous THR than staged or unilateral THR, and surgical time was not different between groups. This procedure was also found to be economically and functionally efficacious when performed by experienced surgeons in specialist centres.     

Cost comparison between bilateral simultaneous,staged, and unilateral total joint arthroplasty

A hospital-based computer system was used to compare the inpatient costs of performing bilateral simultaneous sequential, staged, and unilateral total hip and knee arthroplasties. Bilateral simultaneous sequential total knee arthroplasty was 36% less costly than 2 unilateral total knee arthroplasties. Bilateral simultaneous sequential total hip arthroplasty saved 25% over the costs of performing 2 unilateral hip arthroplasties. Prosthetic costs range between 28% and 43% of the total costs of hospitalization. There was a significant correlation between hospital length of stay, morbidity, and total costs, but no correlation with patient age and sex except in the unilateral knee patients. Bilateral simultaneous sequential joint arthroplasty can save more than $10,000 for each total knee patient and more than $8,000 for each total hip patient.     

Safety and efficacy of bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Recent studies have reported increased morbidity associated with bilateral simultaneous total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and clinical outcome associated with simultaneous bilateral TKA in contrast to unilateral TKA. All primary TKAs, either unilateral or simultaneous bilateral, performed between May 1988 and July 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated using Knee Society scores both before surgery and a minimum of 6 months after surgery. In addition to routine demographics, patients were evaluated for the incidence of both local wound and systemic complications. It is concluded that performing simultaneous bilateral TKA does not result in any significant increase in patient morbidity or compromise in postoperative function when compared with unilateral TKA.     

Outcomes of unilateral and bilateral total knee arthroplasty in 238,373 patients

Background and purpose — There is no consensus about the outcome of simultaneous vs. staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We examined this issue by analyzing 238,373 patients.

Patients and methods — Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were evaluated for TKA patients (unilateral: 206,771; simultaneous bilateral: 6,349; staged bilateral: 25,253) from the Canadian Hospital Morbidity Database for fiscal years 2006–2007 to 2012–2013. Outcomes were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and hospital TKA volume.

Results — Simultaneous bilateral TKA patients were younger than staged bilateral TKA patients (median 64 years vs. 66 years), were more likely to be male (41% vs. 39%), and had a lower frequency of having ≥1 comorbid condition (2.9% vs. 4.2%). They also had a higher frequency of blood transfusions (41% vs. 19%), a shorter median length of stay (6 days vs. 8 days), a higher frequency of transfer to a rehabilitation facility (46% vs. 9%), and a lower frequency of knee infection (0.5% vs. 0.9%) than staged bilateral TKA patients, but they had higher rate of cardiac complications within 90 days (2.0% vs. 1.7%). Simultaneous patients had higher in-hospital mortality compared to the second TKA in staged patients (0.16% vs. 0.06%), but they had similar rates of in-hospital mortality compared to unilateral patients (0.16% vs. 0.14%). The cumulative 3-year revision rate was highest in the unilateral group (2.3%), but it was similar in the staged and simultaneous bilateral groups (1.4%).

Interpretation — We found important differences between the outcomes of simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA. Further clarification of outcomes would be best determined in an adequately powered randomized trial, which would remove the selection bias inherent in this retrospective study design.     

一期与分期双膝关节置换术围手术期风险的比较研究

目的 比较一期双膝关节置换术与分期双膝关节置换术的围手术期并发症的发生率,评价一期双膝关节置换术的安全性.方法 回顾性分析1996年10月至2006年10月接受双膝初次全膝关节置换术的219例患者的临床资料,其中一期双膝关节置换术171例,分期双膝关节置换术48例(B组),按B组年龄性别构成从前者171例患者中1:1匹配抽取48例为A组,与B组进行比较.比较两组术前全身合并症和术后围手术期并发症(B组统计两次手术的累加值)发生情况.结果 匹配后A组和B组的术前全身合并症情况比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但围手术期A组的心脑血管并发症的发生率较B组增高,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 一期双膝关节置换术前应仔细评估术前全身状况,充分说明手术风险,并积极预防围手术期并发症的发生.     

同期和分期全膝关节置换术治疗双侧膝骨关节炎的比较

目的 探讨和比较同期全膝关节置换术和分期全膝关节置换术分别治疗双侧膝骨关节炎的安全性、经济性和成效性.方法 选取2011年5月至2015年5月于我院接受双侧膝关节初次置换手术的108例双侧膝骨关节炎病人,根据手术方案的不同分为两组:同期全膝关节置换术治疗病人46例(同期组),分期全膝关节置换术治疗病人62例(分期组).收集反应两组病人安全性、经济性和成效性的相关指标进行对比分析.结果 同期组病人和分期组病人在术后病死率、二次手术率、术后30 d再次入院率、并发症发生率等显性安全风险指标比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05);同期组病人术后血红蛋白含量、白蛋白水平、总住院时间均低于分期组,而出血量、引流量、术后输血量等指标高于分期组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).同期组病人的平均住院费用(不含假体费用)低于分期组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).同期组和分期组在术后3个月、1年的膝关节功能用美国特种外科医院(Hospital for Special Surgery,HSS)膝关节功能评定标准评分、膝关节活动度、屈曲挛缩度、疼痛视觉模拟量表(visual analogue scale,VAS)评分等方面比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).结论 对于初次行双侧全膝关节置换的膝骨关节炎病人,在严格的围手术期管理和谨慎评估下,同期双侧置换与分期置换在手术的安全性和成效性上并无显著性差异,但在经济性上前者显著优于后者.     

Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral total hip arthroplasty an outcomes analysis

This study compared the morbidity, mortality, and outcomes of 900 simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasties in 450 patients and 450 unilateral total hip arthroplasties. Pulmonary complications were significantly higher in the simultaneous bilateral group (1.6% vs 0.7%; P < .0312). Fourteen (3.1%) patients in the simultaneous bilateral group and 18 (4%) patients in the unilateral group died within the first postoperative year. Patients with mortality in the first postoperative year were significantly older (69.8 vs 62.3 years; P < .0012). Long-term patient survival, the prosthetic survival, and functional outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty has advantages where both hips are symptomatic and has less risk in younger patients with understanding of the increased risk of pulmonary complications.