What Are the Risk Factors for Infection in Hemiarthroplasties and Total Hip Arthroplasties?

Background  

Late infection is the second most frequent early complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the most frequent after hemiarthroplasty. Known risk factors for infection after THA include posttraumatic osteoarthritis, previous surgery, chronic liver disease, corticoid therapy, and excessive surgical time. However, risk factors for hemiarthroplasty are not clearly established.     

What Are the Risk Factors and Complications Associated With Intraoperative and Postoperative Fractures in Total Wrist Arthroplasty?

Background

Total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) can relieve pain and preserve some wrist motion in patients with advanced wrist arthritis. However, few studies have evaluated the risks and outcomes associated with periprosthetic fractures around TWAs.

Questions/purposes

(1) What is the risk of intraoperative and postoperative fractures after TWAs? (2) What factors are associated with increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative fracture after TWAs? (3) What is the fracture-free and revision-free survivorship of TWAs among patients who sustained an intraoperative fracture during the index TWA?

Methods

At one institution during a 40-year period, 445 patients underwent primary TWAs. Of those, 15 patients died before 2 years and 5 were lost to followup, leaving 425 patients who underwent primary TWAs with a minimum of 2-year followup. The primary diagnosis for the TWA included osteoarthritis ([OA] 5%), inflammatory arthritis (90%), and posttraumatic arthritis (5%). Indications for TWA included pancarpal arthritis combined with marked pain and loss of wrist function. The mean age of the patients was 57 years, BMI was 26 kg/m², and 73% were females. Six different implants were used during the 40-year period. Mean followup was 10 years (range, 2–18 years).

Results

Intraoperative fractures occurred in nine (2%) primary TWAs, while postoperative fractures occurred after eight (2%) TWAs. After analyzing demographics, comorbidities, and surgical factors, intraoperative fractures were found to be associated with only age at surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.20; p = 0.006) and use of a bone graft (HR, 5.80; 95% CI, 1.18–23.08; p = 0.03). No factors were found to be associated with increased risk of postoperative fractures; specifically, intraoperative fracture was not associated with subsequent fracture development. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year Kaplan–Meier survival rates free of postoperative fracture were 99%, 98%, and 95%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year revision-free survival rates after intraoperative fracture were 88% and 88%, respectively, compared with 84% and 74% without an intraoperative fracture (p = 0.36). Furthermore, the survival-free of revision surgery rates for aseptic distal loosening at 5 and 10 years were 88% and 88%, respectively, compared with 93% and 87% without a fracture (p = 0.85).

Conclusions

Intraoperative fractures occur in approximately 2% of TWAs. These fractures do not appear to affect long-term implant survival or risk of fracture. Patient age and the need for bone graft were the only factors in the risk of intraoperative fractures. Postoperative fractures also occur in 2% of TWAs, but often result in revision surgery.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.

     

Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Older Patients: Increased Perioperative Morbidity?

Background  

More elderly patients are becoming candidates for total shoulder arthroplasty with an increase in frequency of the procedure paralleling the rise in other total joint arthroplasties. Controversy still exists, however, regarding the perioperative morbidity of total joint arthroplasty in elderly patients, particularly those 80 years of age and older.     

What Are Risk Factors for Intraoperative Humerus Fractures During Revision Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty and Do They Influence Outcomes?

Background

With the increase in shoulder arthroplasty rates, the number of perioperative complications, such as periprosthetic fractures, continues to be a rise; however, the risk factors and incidence of intraoperative complications, such as fractures, during revision reverse shoulder arthroplasty are not well established.

Questions/purposes

We evaluated patients receiving a reverse shoulder arthroplasty to determine (1) the frequency and characteristics of intraoperative humerus fractures, (2) the risk factors for fracture, (3) the complications associated with treatment of fractures, and (4) clinical and functional outcomes after treatment.

Methods

Using one institution’s total joint registry, we performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of 224 patients (230 shoulders) who underwent revision surgery to reverse shoulder arthroplasty, from 2005 to 2012, for failed total shoulder arthroplasty. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty was used when there was a deficient rotator cuff, prior instability, or deficient glenoid bone stock. Intraoperative periprosthetic humerus fractures occurred in 36 shoulders (16%) (36 patients). The clinical outcome analysis included 29 patients with a minimum 2-year clinical followup (mean followup, 3.1 years; range, 2.0−6.3 years). The control group consisted of 188 patients (194 shoulders), and it was used for risk-factor calculation; whereas only 150 patients (154 shoulders) in the control group had a minimum 2-year followup, and thus only 150 patients (154 shoulders) made up the comparators (controls) for outcome-analysis comparisons. Risk factors were assessed using univariate analysis with odds ratios (OR), whereas implant survival and complications were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Three displaced and 33 nondisplaced fractures occurred during revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasties. Most of the fractures (81%) occurred during component removal of cemented (n = 11) and cementless (n = 25) components. Intraoperative fractures only were treated with stabilization of the prosthetic stem in 28 patients, while adjunctive internal fixation was used in eight patients. Risk of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures was increased by factors including female sex (n =18 women; OR, 2.41; range, 1.11−5.68; p = 0.03); history of instability (n = 27; OR, 2.65; range, 1.18−5.93; p = 0.02); and prior hemiarthroplasty (n = 22; OR, 2.34; range, 1.13−4.84; p = 0.03). There were two postoperative fractures in patients who had an intraoperative fracture and both were treated nonoperatively. Overall, three (8%) revision procedures were performed in patients with intraoperative fractures, with 2- and 5-year survivorship estimates of 94% and 85%, respectively, compared with 89% and 84%, respectively for patients without an intraoperative fracture (p = 0.45). At latest followup, patients experienced good postoperative pain relief, improved shoulder abduction, and good American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon and Simple Shoulder Test scores.

Conclusions

Intraoperative humeral fractures occur in approximately 16% of shoulders undergoing revision surgery. Fractures during revision reverse TSA are not uncommon secondary to the risks of component removal in revision surgery and poor remaining bone stock. The risk seems to be greatest for female patients, patients with instability, and patients who have undergone previous hemiarthroplasties. Intraoperative humeral fractures should be approached in a systematic way to achieve anatomic reduction and stable fixation. When properly stabilized, these fractures appear not to substantially influence overall final outcome. This study provides a foundation for future investigation of methods to reduce the risk for intraoperative humeral fractures attributable to reverse revision TSA.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.     

Are There Prognostic Factors for One-Year Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review

Background

Preoperative factors predicting outcome for pain, physical function and quality of life after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have not been clearly identified.

Perioperative Risk Adjustment for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Are Simple Clinically Driven Models Sufficient?

Background

There is growing interest in value-based health care in the United States. Statistical analysis of large databases can inform us of the factors associated with and the probability of adverse events and unplanned readmissions that diminish quality and add expense. For example, increased operating time and high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are associated with adverse events, whereas patients on antihypertensive medications were more likely to have an unplanned readmission. Many surgeons rely on their knowledge and intuition when assessing the risk of a procedure. Comparing clinically driven with statistically derived risk models of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) offers insight into potential gaps between common practice and evidence-based medicine.

Questions/Purposes

(1) Does a statistically driven model better explain the variation in unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge when compared with an a priori five-variable model selected based on expert orthopaedic surgeon opinion? (2) Does a statistically driven model better explain the variation in adverse events within 30 days of discharge when compared with an a priori five-variable model selected based on expert orthopaedic surgeon opinion?

Methods

Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify 4030 individuals older than 17 years of age who had TSA in which osteoarthritis was the primary etiology. A logistic regression model for adverse event and unplanned readmission within 30 days was constructed using (1) five variables chosen a priori based on clinic expertise (age, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 3, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus); and (2) by entering all variables with p < 0.10 in bivariate analysis. We then excluded 870 patients (22%) based on preoperative factors felt to make large discretionary surgery unwise to focus our research on appropriate procedures. Infirm patients have more pressing needs than alleviation of shoulder pain and stiffness. Among the remaining 3160 patients, logistic regression models for adverse event and unplanned readmission within 30 days were constructed in a similar manner to the complete models. The five a priori risk factors used in each model based on clinical expertise were selected by consensus of an expert orthopaedic surgeon panel.

Results

When patients unfit for discretionary surgery were excluded, the clinically driven model found no risk factors and accounted for 1.4% of the variation in unplanned readmission. In contrast, the statistically driven model explained 4.6% of the variation and found operating time (hours) (odds ratio [OR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.53) and hypertension requiring medications (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.01–3.76) were associated with unplanned readmission accounting for all other factors. However, neither the clinically driven model (pseudo R², 1.4%) nor statistically driven model (pseudo R², 4.6%) provided much explanatory power. When patients unfit for discretionary surgery were excluded, no factors in the clinically driven model were significant and the model accounted for 0.95% of the variation in adverse events. In the statistically driven model, age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.06), men (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05–2.57), operating time (hours) (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07–1.52), and high BUN (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.35–7.21) were associated with adverse events when accounting for all other factors, explaining 3.3% of the variation. However, neither the clinically driven model (pseudo R², 0.95%) nor the statistically driven model (pseudo R², 3.3%) provided much explanatory power.

Conclusions

The observation that a statistically derived risk model performs better than a clinically driven model affirms the value of research based on large databases, although the models derived need to be tested prospectively.

Clinical Relevance

Clinicians can utilize our results to understand that clinician intuition may not always offer the best risk adjustment and that factors impacting TSA unplanned readmission and adverse events may be best derived from large data sets. However, because current analyses explain limited variation in outcomes, future studies might look to better define what factors drive the variation in unplanned readmission and adverse events.

     

What Factors are Associated With 90-day Episode-of-care Payments for Younger Patients With Total Joint Arthroplasty?

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® - Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has been identified as a procedure with substantial variations in inpatient and postacute care payments. Most...     

Are There Modifiable Risk Factors for Hospital Readmission After Total Hip Arthroplasty in a US Healthcare System?

Background

Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a successful procedure, 4% to 11% of patients who undergo THA are readmitted to the hospital. Prior studies have reported rates and risk factors of THA readmission but have been limited to single-center samples, administrative claims data, or Medicare patients. As a result, hospital readmission risk factors for a large proportion of patients undergoing THA are not fully understood.

Questions/purposes

(1) What is the incidence of hospital readmissions after primary THA and the reasons for readmission? (2) What are the risk factors for hospital readmissions in a large, integrated healthcare system using current perioperative care protocols?

Methods

The Kaiser Permanente (KP) Total Joint Replacement Registry (TJRR) was used to identify all patients with primary unilateral THAs registered between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. The KPTJRR’s voluntary participation is 95%. A logistic regression model was used to study the relationship of risk factors (including patient, clinical, and system-related) and the likelihood of 30-day readmission. Readmissions were identified using electronic health and claims records to capture readmissions within and outside the system. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Of the 12,030 patients undergoing primary THAs included in the study, 59% (n = 7093) were women and average patient age was 66.5 years (± 10.7).

Results

There were 436 (3.6%) patients with hospital readmissions within 30 days of the index procedure. The most common reasons for readmission were infection and inflammatory reaction resulting from internal joint prosthetic (International Classification of Diseases, 9^th Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] 996.66, 7.0%); other postoperative infection (ICD-9-CM 998:59, 5.5%); unspecified septicemia (ICD-9-CM 038.9, 4.9%); and dislocation of a prosthetic joint (ICD-9-CM 996.42, 4.7%). In adjusted models, the following factors were associated with an increased likelihood of 30-day readmission: medical complications (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.59-4.93); discharge to facilities other than home (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.39–2.58); length of stay of 5 or more days (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.22–2.65) versus 3 days; morbid obesity (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.25–2.43); surgeries performed by high-volume surgeons compared with medium volume (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.14–2.08); procedures at lower-volume (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07–1.85) and medium-volume hospitals (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.20–2.72) compared with high-volume ones; sex (men: OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18–1.92); obesity (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02–1.72); race (black: OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02–1.57); increasing age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.04); and certain comorbidities (pulmonary circulation disease, chronic pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, and psychoses).

Conclusions

The 30-day hospital readmission rate after primary THA was 3.6%. Modifiable factors, including obesity, comorbidities, medical complications, and system-related factors (hospital), have the potential to be addressed by improving the health of patients before this elective procedure, patient and family education and planning, and with the development of high-volume centers of excellence. Nonmodifiable factors such as age, sex, and race can be used to establish patient and family expectations regarding risk of readmission after THA. Contrary to other studies and the finding of increased hospital volume associated with lower risk of readmission, higher volume surgeons had a higher risk of patient readmission, which may be attributable to the referral patterns in our organization.

Level of Evidence

Level III, therapeutic study.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11999-015-4278-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

What Are the Causes of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty in Japan?

Background

There is limited information regarding the cause of revision TKA in Asia, especially Japan. Owing to differences in patient backgrounds and lifestyles, the modes of TKA failures in Asia may differ from those in Western countries.

Questions/purposes

We therefore determined (1) causes of revision TKA in a cohort of Japanese patients with revision TKA and (2) whether patient demographic features and underlying diagnosis of primary TKA are associated with the causes of revision TKA.

Methods

We assessed all revision TKA procedures performed at five major centers in Hokkaido from 2006 to 2011 for the causes of failures. Demographic data and underlying diagnosis for index primary TKA of the revision cases were compared to those of randomly selected primary TKAs during the same period.

Results

One hundred forty revision TKAs and 4047 primary TKAs were performed at the five centers, indicating a revision burden of 3.3%. The most common cause of revision TKA was mechanical loosening (40%) followed by infection (24%), wear/osteolysis (9%), instability (9%), implant failure (6%), periprosthetic fracture (4%), and other reasons (8%). The mean age of patients with periprosthetic fracture was older (77 versus 72 years) and the male proportion in patients with infection was higher (33% versus 19%) than those of patients in the primary TKA group. There was no difference in BMI between primary TKAs and any type of revision TKA except other causes.

Conclusions

The revision burden at the five referral centers in Hokkaido was 3.3%, and the most common cause of revision TKA was mechanical loosening followed by infection. Demographic data such as age and sex might be associated with particular causes of revision TKA.     

What Are the Indications for Implant Revision in Three-component Total Ankle Arthroplasty?

BackgroundGiven the increasing usage of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), a better understanding of the reasons leading to implant revision and the factors that might influence those indications is necessary to identify at-risk patients.Question/purposesUsing a single-design three-component ankle prosthesis, we asked: (1) What is the cumulative incidence of implant revision at 5 and 10 years? (2) What are the indications for implant revision in our population? (3) What factors are associated with an increased likelihood of implant revision during the time frame in question?MethodsBetween 2003 and 2017, primary TAA using a single-design three-component ankle implant was performed by or under the supervision of the implant designer in 1006 patients (1074 ankles) aged between 17 and 88 years to treat end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. No other TAA systems were used during the study period at the investigators’ institution. In 68 patients with bilateral surgery, only the first TAA was considered. Of the patients treated with the study implant, 2% (16 of 1006) were lost to follow-up 5 to 14 years after TAA and were not known to have died or undergone revision, and 5% (55 of 1006) were deceased due to reasons unrelated to the procedure, leaving 935 patients for evaluation in this retrospective study. The mean (range) follow-up for the included patients was 8.8 ± 4.2 (0.2 to 16.8) years. Implant revision was performed 0.5 to 13.2 years after TAA in 12% (121 of 1006) of our patients. Survivorship free from revision was calculated using cumulative incidence (competing risks) survivorship, with death as a competing risk. The reason for each revision was classified into one of six categories according to a modified version of a previously published protocol: aseptic loosening, cyst formation, instability, deep infection, technical error, and pain without another cause. Two foot and ankle surgeons reviewed the records of all patients who underwent implant revision and assigned each patient’s reason for revision to one of the six categories. The decision for assigning each patient to one of the six categories was made based on a consensus agreement. A subgroup classification of preoperative ankle alignment (neutral, mild, and major deformity) and variables of age, sex, BMI, etiology of ankle osteoarthritis, and number of preoperative and intraoperative hindfoot or midfoot procedures were used in a multinomial logistic regression and Cox regression analysis to estimate their association with reason for revision and implant survival until revision.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of implant revision at the mean (range) follow-up time of 8.8 ± 4.2 years (0.2 to 16.8) was 9.8% (95% confidence interval 7.7% to 11.8%). Five and 10 years after TAA, cumulative incidence was 4.8% (95% CI 3.4 to 6.1) and 12.1% (95% CI 9.7% to 14.5%), respectively. The most common reason for revision was instability (34% [41 of 121]), followed by aseptic loosening of one or more metallic components (28% [34 of 121]), pain without another cause (12% [14 of 121]), cyst formation (10% [12 of 121]), deep infection (9% [11 of 121]), and technical error (7% [9 of 121]). Ankles with a major hindfoot deformity before TAA were more likely to undergo revision than ankles with a minor deformity (hazard ratio 1.9 [95% CI 1.2 to 3.0]; p = 0.007) or neutral alignment (HR 2.5 [95% CI 1.5 to 4.4]; p = 0.001). A preoperative hindfoot valgus deformity increased revision probability compared with a varus deformity (HR 2.1 [95% CI 1.4 to 3.4]; p = 0.001).ConclusionInstability was a more common reason for implant revision after TAA with this three-component design than previously reported. All causes inducing either a varus or valgus hindfoot deformity must be meticulously addressed during TAA to prevent revision of this implant. Future studies from surgeons/institutions not involved in this implant design are needed to confirm these findings and to further investigate why a substantial number of patients had pain of unknown cause prompting revision.Level of EvidenceLevel III, therapeutic study.     

Are There Identifiable Risk Factors and Causes Associated with Unplanned Readmissions Following Total Knee Arthroplasty?

We conducted a retrospective review of 3218 primary total knee arthroplasties (TKA) performed over two years at an urban academic hospital network using clinical and administrative data. Increased length of stay (LOS) was associated with readmission (P < 0.001). Readmission was not associated with age (P = 0.100), gender (P = 0.608), body mass index (P = 0.329), or staged bilateral procedures (P = 0.420). The most common readmitting diagnoses were post-operative infection (22.5%), hematoma (10.1%), pulmonary embolus (7.9%) and deep vein thrombosis (5.6%). Of readmissions, 53.9% were for surgical reasons and 46.1% were for medical reasons. Certain interventions described in previous literature may be more successful in minimizing unplanned readmissions by focusing on patients with extended LOS, elevated infection risk and low socioeconomic status.     

Are Gender,Comorbidity, and Obesity Risk Factors for Postoperative Periprosthetic Fractures After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty?

We studied the frequency and patient risk factors for postoperative periprosthetic fractures after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). With a mean follow-up of 6.3 years, 305 postoperative periprosthetic fractures occurred in 14?065 primary THAs. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses, female gender (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.88), Deyo-Charlson comorbidity score of 2 (HR, 1.74 for score of 2; 95% CI, 1.25-2.43) or 3 or higher (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.26-2.32), and American Society of Anesthesiologist class of 2 (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 0.90-3.76) or 3 (HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.18-5.1) or 4 or higher (HR, 2.68; 95% CI, 0.70-10.28) were significantly associated with higher risk/hazard, and cemented implant, with lower hazard (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.87) of postoperative periprosthetic fractures. Interventions targeted at optimizing comorbidity management may decrease postoperative fractures after THA.     

What Factors Are Associated with Patient-reported Outcome Measure Questionnaire Completion for an Electronic Shoulder Arthroplasty Registry?

BackgroundThere has been an increase in the use of electronic systems to collect patient-reported outcome measures. There is limited data on the added value of electronic reporting on increasing patient response proportions and little knowledge of which patients are more likely to respond.Questions/purposes(1) What proportion of patients completed patient-reported outcome questionnaires at baseline and at 1 year and 2 years of follow-up after shoulder arthroplasty, and what methods did they use to complete these questionnaires (either automated or manual data collection)? (2) What factors were associated with questionnaire completion?MethodsOur shoulder arthroplasty registry from a high-volume, tertiary care center implemented an electronic platform to collect patient-reported outcomes. A total of 2128 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty between 2016 and 2019. Patients without an email address on file were excluded; 90% (1907 of 2128) of patients were included in the study. The population was 50% women (954 of 1907) with a mean age of 67 ± 9 years. A query was performed to determine whether patients completed questionnaires by either automated or manual data collection at baseline and 1 year and 2 years of follow-up after shoulder arthroplasty. In a logistic regression analysis, patient factors (such as demographics, education, and living arrangements) were evaluated for their association with whether patients completed these questionnaires.ResultsThe proportion of questionnaire completion at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years were 72% (1369 of 1907), 47% (456 of 972), and 33% (128 of 393), respectively. Of the patients who completed their questionnaires, 63% (868 of 1369) did so through automated emails at baseline, 84% (381 of 456) did so at 1 year, and 81% (103 of 128) did so at 2 years. The remainder completed their questionnaires through manual data collection with a research assistant: 37% (501 of 1369) at baseline, 16% (75 of 456) at 1 year, and 19% (25 of 128) at 2 years. After controlling for potentially confounding variables like patient demographics, college education, and living arrangements, women were less likely to complete baseline questionnaires than men (odds ratio 0.78 [95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.99]; p = 0.04), and white patients (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1.05 to 2.44]; p = 0.03) were more likely than nonwhite patients to have complete baseline questionnaires. At 2 years of follow-up, patients with a college education (OR 2.06 [95% CI 1.14 to 3.71]; p = 0.02), those who lived alone (OR 2.11 [95% CI 1.13 to 3.94]; p = 0.02), and those who had higher baseline Shoulder Activity Scale scores (OR 1.05 [95% CI 1.00 to 1.11]; p = 0.04) were more likely to have complete questionnaires than those without a college education, those who lived with other people, and those with lower SAS scores, respectively.ConclusionThe challenges of adopting an online platform include low follow-up proportions and the need for manual assistance by a research assistant to increase patient completion of questionnaires.Clinical RelevanceThe knowledge of which patient characteristics are associated with a higher likelihood of completing questionnaires has implications for targeted follow-up or representative sampling of the population in a registry. Populations that are less likely to respond may require more effort to reach to prevent exacerbating health outcome disparities. Random sampling with upweighting of hard-to-reach populations may also provide a solution to achieve a representative population of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.     

What is the Evidence for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Young Patients?: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background  

TKA is commonly performed to treat advanced inflammatory and degenerative knee arthritis. With increasing use in younger patients, it is important to define the best practices to enhance clinical performance and implant longevity.     

What Are the Instability and Infection Rates After Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty?

Background  

A concern regarding reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is the possibly higher complication rate compared with conventional unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty.     

What Are Risk Factors for Local Recurrence of Deep High-grade Soft-tissue Sarcomas?

Background  

Patients with local recurrence of soft-tissue sarcomas have a poor overall survival. High-grade, soft-tissue sarcomas in deep locations may have a poorer prognosis regarding local recurrence than low-grade sarcomas or those located superficially. Although previous reports evaluated tumors at various depths, it is unclear what factors influence recurrence of deep, high-grade sarcomas.     

What Are Drivers of Readmission for Readmission-Requiring Venous Thromboembolic Events After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty? An Analysis of 544,443 Cases

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential postoperative complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). These events present with a range of severity, and some require readmission. The present study aimed to identify unexplored risk factors for severe VTE that lead to hospital readmission.MethodsThe Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality’s National Readmissions Database was retrospectively queried for all patients who underwent primary THA (January 2016 to December 2018). Study population included patients who were readmitted for VTE within 90 days after an elective THA. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using patient demographics, insurance status, elective nature of the surgery, healthcare institution characteristics, and baseline comorbidities.ResultsHigher risk of readmission for VTE was evident among elderly (71-80 years vs <40 years: odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.2, P = .0002), male patients (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.2-1.3). Nonelective THAs were associated with markedly higher odds of readmission for VTE (OR 20.5, 95% CI 18.9-22.2), peripheral vascular disease (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), lymphoma (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1), metastatic cancer (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.2), obesity (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6), and fluid-electrolyte imbalance (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2). Home health care (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.8) and discharge to skilled nursing facility (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.7-0.8) had lower odds of readmission for VTE vs unsupervised home discharge, while insurance type was not a significant driver(P > .05).ConclusionOne in 135 THA patients is likely to experience a VTE requiring readmission after THA. Male patients, age >70 years, and specific baseline comorbidities increase such risk. Furthermore, discharge to a supervised setting mitigated the risk of VTE requiring readmission compared to unsupervised discharge. As VTE prophylaxis protocols continue to evolve, these patients may require optimized perioperative care pathways to mitigate VTE complications.