International Delphi Study on Wound Closure and Incision Management in Joint Arthroplasty Part 2: Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This modified Delphi study aimed to develop a consensus on optimal wound closure and incision management strategies for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Given the critical nature of wound care and incision management in influencing patient outcomes, this study sought to synthesize evidence-based best practices for wound care in THA procedures. METHODS: An international panel of 20 orthopedic surgeons from Europe, Canada, and the United States evaluated a targeted literature review of 18 statements (14 specific to THA and 4 related to both THA and total knee arthroplasty). There were 3 rounds of anonymous voting per topic using a modified 5-point Likert scale with a predetermined consensus threshold of ≥ 75% agreement necessary for a statement to be accepted. RESULTS: After 3 rounds of voting, consensus was achieved for all 18 statements. Notable recommendations for THA wound management included (1) the use of barbed sutures over non-barbed sutures (shorter closing times and overall cost savings); (2) the use of subcuticular sutures over skin staples (lower risk of superficial infections and higher patient preferences, but longer closing times); (3) the use of mesh-adhesives over silver-impregnated dressings (lower rate of wound complications); (4) for at-risk patients, the use of negative pressure wound therapy over other dressings (lower wound complications and reoperations, as well as fewer dressing changes); and (5) the use of triclosan-coated sutures (lower risk of surgical site infection) over standard sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Through a structured modified Delphi approach, a panel of 20 orthopedic surgeons reached consensus on all 18 statements pertaining to wound closure and incision management in THA. This study provides a foundational framework for establishing evidence-based best practices, aiming to reduce variability in patient outcomes and to enhance the overall quality of care in THA procedures.

Total hip arthroplasty with monobloc press-fit acetabular components and large-diameter bearings for atypical acetabula is safe: a consecutive case series of 125 hips with mean follow-up of 9 years.

BACKGROUND: Large-diameter head (LDH) total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a monobloc acetabular component improves hip stability. However, obtaining initial press-fit stability is quite challenging in atypical acetabula. The purpose of this study was to assess primary and secondary fixation of monobloc cups in atypical acetabula. METHODS: In this consecutive case series, the local arthroplasty database was used to retrospectively identify patients with secondary osteoarthritis who underwent primary hip replacement with press-fit only LDH monobloc acetabular components between 2005 and 2018 and who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Radiographic evaluation was performed at last follow-up, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and the Patient's Joint Perception (PJP) question. RESULTS: One hundred and six LDH THAs and 19 hip resurfacings were included in the study. Preoperative diagnoses included hip dysplasia (36.8%), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (32.0%), osteoarthritis with acetabular deficiency (17.6%), periacetabular osteotomy (8.0%), arthrodesis (4.0%), and osteopetrosis (1.6%). After a mean follow-up of 9.2 years, no aseptic loosening of the acetabular component was recorded nor observed on radiologic review. There were 13 (10.4%) revisions unrelated to the acetabular component fixation. The mean WOMAC and FJS scores were 9.2 and 80.9, respectively. In response to the PJP question, 49.4% of the patients perceived their hip as natural, 19.1% as an artificial joint with no restriction, 31.5% as an artificial joint with restriction, and none as a non-functional joint. CONCLUSION: Primary press-fit fixation of monobloc acetabular components with LDH implanted in atypical acetabula led to secondary fixation in all cases with low revision and complication rates and great functional outcomes. With careful surgical technique and experience, systematic use of supplemental screw fixation is not essential in THA with atypical acetabula.

International Delphi Study on Wound Closure and Dressing Management in Joint Arthroplasty: Part 1: Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this modified Delphi study was to obtain consensus on wound closure and dressing management in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The Delphi panel included 20 orthopaedic surgeons from Europe and North America. There were 26 statements identified using a targeted literature review. Consensus was developed for the statements with up to three rounds of anonymous voting per topic. Panelists ranked their agreement with each statement on a five-point Likert scale. An a priori threshold of ≥ 75% was required for consensus. RESULTS: All 26 statements achieved consensus after three rounds of anonymous voting. Wound closure-related interventions that were recommended for use in TKA included: 1) closing in semi-flexion versus extension (superior range of motion); 2) using aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis over other agents (reduces wound complications); 3) barbed sutures over non-barbed sutures (lower wound complications, better cosmetic appearances, shorter closing times, and overall cost savings); 4) mesh-adhesives over other skin closure methods (lower wound complications, higher patient satisfaction scores, lower rates of readmission); 5) silver-impregnated dressings over standard dressings (lower wound complications, decreased infections, fewer dressing changes); 6) in high-risk patients, negative pressure wound therapy over other dressings (lower wound complications, decreased reoperations, fewer dressing changes); and 7) using triclosan-coated over non-antimicrobial-coated sutures (lower risks of surgical site infection). CONCLUSIONS: Using a modified Delphi approach, the panel achieved consensus on 26 statements pertaining to wound closure and dressing management in TKA. This study forms the basis for identifying critical evidence supported by clinical practice for wound management to help reduce variability, advance standardization, and ultimately improve outcomes during TKA. The results presented here can serve as the foundation for knowledge, education, and improved clinical outcomes for surgeons performing TKAs.

Definition of normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant coronal knee alignment for total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: One of the most pertinent questions in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is: what could be considered normal coronal alignment? This study aims to define normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant coronal alignment using large data from a computed tomography (CT)-scan database and previously published phenotypes. METHODS: Coronal alignment parameters from 11,191 knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients were measured based on three dimensional reconstructed CT data using a validated planning software. Based on these measurements, patients' coronal alignment was phenotyped according to the functional knee phenotype concept. These phenotypes represent an alignment variation of the overall hip knee ankle angle (HKA), femoral mechanical angle (FMA) and tibial mechanical angle (TMA). Each phenotype is defined by a specific mean and covers a range of ±1.5° from this mean. Coronal alignment is classified as normal, neutral, deviant and aberrant based on distribution frequency. Mean values and distribution among the phenotypes are presented and compared between two populations (OA patients in this study and non-OA patients from a previously published study). RESULTS: The arithmetic HKA (aHKA), combined normalised data of FMA and TMA, showed that 36.0% of knees were neutral within ±1 SD from the mean in both angles, 44.3% had either a TMA or a FMA within ±1-2 SD (normally aligned), 15.3% of the patients were deviant within ±2-3 SD and only 4.4% of them had an aberrant alignment (±3-4 SD in 3.4% and >4 SD in 1.0% of the patients respectively). However, combining the normalised data of HKA, FMA and TMA, 15.4% of patients were neutral in all three angles, 39.7% were at least normal, 27.7% had at least one deviant angle and 17.2% had at least one aberrant angle. For HKA, the males exhibited 1° varus and females were neutral. For FMA, the females exhibited 0.7° more valgus in mean than males and grew 1.8° per category (males grew 2.1° per category). For TMA, the males exhibited 1.3° more varus than females and both grew 2.3° and 2.4° (females) per category. Normal coronal alignment was 179.2° ± 2.8-5.6° (males) and 180.5 > ± 2.8-5.6° (females) for HKA, 93.1 > ± 2.1-4.2° (males) and 93.8 > ± 1.8-3.6° (females) for FMA and 86.7 > ± 2.3-4.6° (males) and 88 > ± 2.4-4.8° (females) for TMA. This means HKA 6.4 varus or 4.8° valgus (males) or 5.1° varus to 6.1° valgus was considered normal. For FMA HKA 1.1 varus or 7.3° valgus (males) or 0.2° valgus to 7.4° valgus was considered normal. For TMA HKA 7.9 varus or 1.3° valgus (males) or 6.8° varus to 2.8° valgus was considered normal. Aberrant coronal alignment started from 179.2° ± 8.4° (males) and 180.5 > ± 8.4° (females) for HKA, 93.1 > ± 6.3° (males) 93.8 > ± 5.4° (females) for FMA and 86.7 > ± 6.9° (males) and 88 > ± 7.2° (females) for TMA. This means HKA > 9.2° varus or 7.6° valgus (males) or 7.9° varus to 8.9° valgus was considered aberrant. CONCLUSION: Definitions of neutrality, normality, deviance as well as aberrance for coronal alignment in TKA were proposed in this study according to their distribution frequencies. This can be seen as an important first step towards a safe transition from the conventional one-size-fits-all to a more personalised coronal alignment target. There should be further definitions combining bony alignment, joint surfaces' morphology, soft tissue laxities and joint kinematics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Ten Flaws of Systematic Mechanical Alignment Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Mechanical alignment (MA) and its tenets have been considered essential for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) success since they were introduced in 1973. However, over time, there have been colossal advances in our knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and kinematics of the knee, as well as in surgical precision and implants. However, the MA systematic principles of prosthetic arthroplasty and implant position related to the lower-extremity mechanical axis, have only recently been called into question. The high rates of dissatisfaction and residual pain reported after MA TKA prompted this questioning, and that leaves plenty of room for improvement. Despite the general consensus that there is great variability between patients' anatomy, it is still the norm to carry out a systematic operation that does not consider individual variations. Evolving to a more personalized arthroplasty surgery was proposed as a rational and reasonable option to improve patient outcomes. Transitioning to a personalized TKA approach requires questioning and even disregarding certain MA TKA principles. Based on current knowledge, we can state that certain principles are erroneous or unfounded. The aim of this narrative review was to discuss and challenge 10 previously accepted, yet we believe, flawed, principles of MA, and to present an alternative concept, which is rooted in personalized TKA techniques.

Why personalized surgery is the future of hip and knee arthroplasty: a statement from the Personalized Arthroplasty Society.

Although hip and knee joint replacements provide excellent clinical results, many patients still do not report the sensation and function of a natural joint. The perception that the joint is artificial may result from the anatomical modifications imposed by the surgical technique and the implant design. Moreover, the joint replacement material may not function similarly to human tissues. To restore native joint kinematics, function, and perception, three key elements play a role: (i) joint morphology (articular surface geometry, bony anatomy, etc.), (ii) lower limb anatomy (alignment, joint orientation), and (iii) soft tissue laxity/tension. To provide a 'forgotten joint' to most patients, it is becoming clear that personalizing joint replacement is the key solution. Performing a personalized joint replacement starts with patient selection and preoperative optimization, followed by using a surgical technique and implant design aimed at restoring the patient's native anatomy, creating optimal implant-to-bone stress transfer, restoring the joint's native articular range of motion without imposed limitations, macro- and micro-stability of the soft tissues, and a bearing whose wear resistance provides lifetime survivorship with unrestricted activities. In addition, the whole perioperative experience should follow enhanced recovery after surgery principles, favoring a rapid and complication-free recovery. As a new concept, some confusion may arise when applying these personalized surgery principles. Therefore, the Personalized Arthroplasty Society was created to help structure and accelerate the adoption of this paradigm change. This statement from the Society on personalized arthroplasty will serve as a reference that will evolve with time.

Primary total knee arthroplasty in hemophilic arthropathy.

Advanced hemophilic knee arthropathy is a frequent and devastating manifestation of severe hemophilia with significant implications for activities of daily living. Hemophilic arthropathy is caused by repeated bleeding, resulting in joint degeneration, pain, deformity and disability. In patients with hemophilia and advanced disease, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has proven to be the most successful intervention, improves physical function and reduces knee pain. Hemophilic patients carry additional risks for complications and required specific pre/postoperative considerations. Expert treatment center should be used to improve patient outcome. Hemophilic patients present significant surgical challenges such as joint destruction, bone loss, severe ankylosis and oligoarticular involvement. The surgeon performing the arthroplasty must be experienced to manage such problems.

Evolution of Concepts: Can Personalized Hip Arthroplasty Improve Joint Stability?

Hip arthroplasty procedures are successful and reproducible. However, within the first two post-operative years, hip dislocations are the most common cause for revisions. This is despite the majority of the dislocations having the acetabular component within what is described as the 'safe zone'. The limitations of such boundaries do not take into account the variability of individual hip anatomy and functional pelvic orientation that exist. An alternative concept to address hip instability and improve overall outcomes is functional acetabular orientation. In this review article, we discuss the evolution of concepts, particularly the kinematic alignment technique for hip arthroplasty and the use of large-diameter heads to understand why total hip arthroplasty dislocations occur and how to prevent them.

Overview of the different personalized total knee arthroplasty with robotic assistance, how choosing?

Current limitations in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) function and patient satisfaction stimulated us to question our practice. Our understanding of knee anatomy and biomechanics has evolved over recent years as we now consider that a more personalized joint reconstruction may be a better-targeted goal for TKA. Implant design and surgical techniques must be advanced to better reproduce the anatomy and kinematics of native knees and ultimately provide a forgotten joint. The availability of precision tools as robotic assistance surgery can help us recreate patient anatomy and ensure components are not implanted in a position that may compromise long-term outcomes. Robotic-assisted surgery is gaining in popularity and may be the future of orthopedic surgery. However, moving away from the concept of neutrally aligning every TKA dogma opens the door to new techniques emergence based on opinion and experience and leads to a certain amount of uncertainty among knee surgeons. Hence, it is important to clearly describe each technique and analyze their potential impacts and benefits. Personalized TKA techniques may be classified into 2 main families: unrestricted or restricted component orientation. In the restricted group, some will aim to reproduce native ligament laxity versus aiming for ligament isometry. When outside of their boundaries, all restricted techniques will induce anatomical changes. Similarly, most native knee having asymmetric ligaments laxity between compartments and within the same compartment during the arc of flexion; aiming for ligament isometry induces bony anatomy changes. In the current paper, we will summarize and discuss the impacts of the different robotic personalized alignment techniques, including kinematic alignment (KA), restricted kinematic alignment (rKA), inverse kinematic alignment (iKA), and functional alignment (FA). With every surgical technique, there are limitations and shortcomings. As our implants are still far from the native knee, it is primordial to understand the impacts and benefits of each technique. Mid to long data will help us in defining the new standards.

Midterm results of titanium conical Wagner stem with challenging femoral anatomy: Survivorship and unique bone remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Complex anatomy of the proximal femur makes total hip arthroplasty (THA) more challenging. Short, straight, fluted and conical titanium stem like the Wagner Cone can be helpful to address small femoral canal, increased femoral neck version, important leg length discrepancy or proximal femoral deformity. The outcome in these patients is less assured and associated with high rate of complications. Therefore, we did a retrospective study aiming to answer: 1) can the Wagner Cone stem provide acceptable mid- to long-term implant survivorship; 2) help minimizing perioperative adverse events; 3) produce favorable clinical outcome measured by WOMAC score; and 4) be associated with a favorable radiographic femoral bone remodeling at the last follow-up? HYPOTHESIS: Wagner Cone stem is an advantageous solution for the distorted proximal femur in complex THA. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Our cohort was derived from the patient registries where medical records of 88 patients (103 hips) who underwent primary THA using the Wagner prosthesis were retrospectively reviewed. Then, data was analyzed for patients' demographics and surgical data, and comparing preoperative, immediate postoperative and last follow-up data. Eleven patients (12 hips) were excluded (7 hips followed up less than 2 years or lost to follow-up, 3 hips that had the Wagner stem for revision and 2 Wagner stems inserted for periprosthetic fracture). This left 77 patients (91 hips) with Wagner cone stems implanted for more than 2 years between March 2003 and February 2017 by 7 surgeons in 3 academic hospitals. Implant revision, reoperations, WOMAC score and radiographic analyses were recorded at last follow-up. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 7.8 (range, 2.0-16.2) years, Wagner stem survivorship was 98.9% (95% CI: 94 to 100%) with one (1.1%) stem revision for failure of osteointegration. Five (5.5%) acetabular revisions, one for aseptic loosening, 2 for adverse reaction to metal debris and 2 for infection. One (1.1%) sciatic neuropathy and 4 (4.4%) intraoperative fractures were encountered. The mean WOMAC score was 90.5±11.4 (59-100). Radiographic analysis showed clear signs of stem osseointegration and hypertrophic bone remodeling in 82 cases (92.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Used in complex cases with proximal distorted femurs, the Wagner Cone stem demonstrated a low complication rate, a high-rate consistent adaptive bone remodeling, excellent clinical results, and midterm survival. It is a safe, reliable and advantageous option in complex primary THA. However, the contribution of the underlying cause of the secondary osteoarthritis on the long-term survival of the stem remains to be demonstrated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Monobloc press-fit cups with large-diameter bearings are safe in revision total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Instability is a major cause of failure of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) which can be avoided with the use of monobloc press-fit cups with large diameter heads (LDH). OBJECTIVE: This consecutive case series analyses whether LDH monobloc components are a safe and clinically beneficial option for revision THA. METHODS: This consecutive case series includes 47 revision THA with LDH monobloc acetabular cup. Acetabular bone defects were Paprosky type I (42), type IIA (2) and type IIC (3). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and the Patient's Joint Perception (PJP) scores were analysed and a radiographic evaluation for signs of implant dysfunction was performed. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, there were 5 (10.6%) acetabular cup re-revisions: 2 loss of primary fixation and 3 instabilities. Implant survivorship at 4-years was 89.4% (95% CI: 89.3 to 89.5). Recurrent hip dislocation was reported in 1 patient (2.1%) and remains under conservative treatment. The mean WOMAC and FJS were 19.5 (16.8; 0.0 to 58.3) and 57.3 (28.9; 6.3 to 100.0), respectively. Regarding the PJP, 3 (8.8%) patients perceived their hip as natural, 8 (23.5%) as an artificial joint with no restriction, 14 (41.2%) with minor restriction and 9 (26.5%) with major restriction. CONCLUSION: In cases of revision THA with limited bone loss, press-fit primary fixation with LDH monobloc acetabular components are valuable options that offer excellent mid-term out-comes with low re-revision and joint instability rates.

Modernizing Total Hip Arthroplasty Perioperative Pathways: The Implementation of ERAS-Outpatient Protocol.

Pressure to reduce healthcare costs, limited hospital availability along with improvements in surgical technique and perioperative care motivated many centers to focus on outpatient pathway implementation. However, in many short-stay protocols, the focus has shifted away from aiming to reduce complications and improved rehabilitation, to using length of stay as the main factor of success. To improve patient outcomes and maintain safety, the best way to implement a successful outpatient program would be to combine it with the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), and to improve patient recovery to a level where the patient is able to leave the hospital sooner. This article delivers a case for modernizing total hip arthroplasty perioperative pathways by implementing ERAS-outpatient protocols.

Double-layered patella management in total knee arthroplasty for secondary osteoarthritis: A case report.

Double-layered patella (DLP) is an osseous disorder associated with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). A thorough investigation should be conducted prior to surgery to assess the role of each layer and their vascularization in order to establish the best surgical strategy. We present the case of a woman in her late 50s with MED, bilateral DLP, and secondary osteoarthritis treated by a left total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To plan the surgical procedure, bilateral knee magnetic resonance imaging was obtained to study the anatomy of the two bony layers and their relationship to the extensor mechanism. In addition, a computed tomography angiography was performed to study the origins of arterial blood supply to the patella layers to avoid postoperative bone necrosis. During a standard TKA procedure, after adjusting the thickness of the posterior layer, we fused both layers using outside-in headless compressive screws. Clinical outcome was satisfactory with no anterior knee pain and radiographs showed signs of bone fusion between layers at last follow-up. No case report was found in the literature in which a full preoperative investigation was made to establish the best surgical management of a DLP during TKA. In such a case, the surgeon should be aware of the distinct roles of both layers (whether in the case of trauma or scheduled surgery) and make sure that the reconstruction plan will provide a favorable outcome.

Personalized Hip Joint Replacement with Large Diameter Head: Current Concepts.

Hip arthroplasty is a common procedure in elective orthopaedic surgery that has excellent outcomes. Hip replacement surgery aims to create a "forgotten" joint, i.e., a pain-free joint akin to a native articulation. To achieve such goals, hip arthroplasty must be personalised. This is achieved by restoring: the centre of rotation of the native hip; leg length equality; femoral offset; femoral orientation; soft tissue tension; joint stability with an unrestricted hip range of motion; and having appropriate stress transfer to the bone. In addition, the whole pathway should provide an uneventful and swift postoperative recovery and lifetime implant survivorship with unrestricted activities. At our institution, the preferred option is a personalized total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a large diameter head (LDH) using either monobloc or dual-mobility configuration for the acetabular component. LDH THA offers an impingement-free range of motion and a reduced risk of dislocation. The larger head-neck offset allows for a supraphysiologic range of motion (ROM). This can compensate for a patient's abnormal spinopelvic mobility and surgical imprecision. Additionally, LDH bearing with a small clearance exerts a high suction force, which provides greater hip micro-stability. With appropriate biomechanical reconstruction, LDH THA can restore normal gait parameters. This results in unrestricted activities and higher patient satisfaction scores. We use LDH ceramic on ceramic for our patients with a life expectancy of more than 20 years and use LDH dual mobility bearings for all others.

Use of IMMPACT Recommendations to Explore Pain Phenotypes in People with Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of multiple phenotypes of which a chronic pain phenotype (PP) is known. Previous PP studies have focused on one domain of pain and included heterogenous variables. We sought to identify multidimensional PPs using the IMMPACT recommendations and their relationship to clinical outcomes. METHODS: Participants >40 years of age with knee OA having a first-time orthopedic consultation at five university affiliated hospitals in Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton (Canada) were recruited. Latent profile analysis was used to determine PPs (classes) using variables recommended by IMMPACT. This included pain variability, intensity and qualities, somatization, anxiodepressive symptoms, sleep, fatigue, pain catastrophizing, neuropathic pain, and quantitative sensory tests. We used MANOVA and χ2 tests to assess differences in participant characteristics across the classes and linear and Poisson regression to evaluate the association of classes to outcomes of physical performance tests, self-reported function and provincial healthcare data. RESULTS: In total, 343 participants were included (mean age 64 years, 64% female). Three classes were identified with increasing pain burden (class3 > class1), characterized by significant differences across most self-report measures and temporal summation, and differed in terms of female sex, younger age, lower optimism and pain self-efficacy. Participants in class2 and class3 had significantly worse self-reported function, stair climb and 40 m walk tests, and higher rates of healthcare usage compared to those in class1. CONCLUSIONS: Three distinct PPs guided by IMMPACT recommendations were identified, predominated by self-report measures and temporal summation. Using this standardized approach may improve PP study variability and comparison.

Liner dissociation in a large-diameter ceramic-bearing acetabular component: a report of five cases.

BACKGROUND: Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) bearings for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been offering very favorable results and survivorship since their introduction. In order to increase range of movement (ROM) and decrease dislocation rates, some manufacturers have introduced larger diameter head (LDH) CoC bearings. This has been achieved with the use of preassembled cup designs, in which the ceramic liner is already fitted into the metal backing and implanted as a monoblock component by the surgeon. In this report we present data from a series of 5 patients with ceramic liner dissociation from a monoblock cup. CASE PRESENTATION: All cases were overweight men with acetabular components of 56 or 58 mm. After a mean of 5.5 (range, 3.5-6.7) years, all patients reported sudden pain and audible noise when performing activities of daily living. Liner displacement was suspected on plain radiographs and confirmed by Ct-scan. Pneumarthrosis was present in all cases. Taper modular junction wear and corrosion signs were observed in the four revised patients. CONCLUSION: Although one of our case is still treated conservatively, implant revision is probably inevitable. Further LDH CoC implant design should take in consideration this potential complication by avoiding bearing diameters over 40mm and/or improving locking mechanism or by providing a real monoblock acetabular implant.

Improved clinical outcomes of outpatient enhanced recovery hip and knee replacements in comparison to standard inpatient procedures: A study of patients who experienced both.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of combining enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) interventions with an outpatient program for total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) are uncertain. This study's main objective was to evaluate adverse events with an ERAS-outpatient compared to standard-inpatient care and secondary objectives were to compare pain, functional recovery, PROMs and satisfaction. HYPOTHESIS: The ERAS-outpatient program would result in reduced adverse events compared to standard-inpatient care. METHODS: An ambidirectional single subject cohort study was conducted on 48 consecutive patients who experienced both a standard-inpatient and an ERAS-outpatient THA/TKA (contralaterally). Adverse event rate according to the Clavien-Dindo scale, the Comprehensive Complications Index (CCI) and the number of unplanned episodes of care were assessed. Postoperative pain on a numeric rating scale, opioid consumption in morphine milligram equivalents, functional recovery, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) (WOMAC, KOOS, HOOS, Forgotten Joint Score and Patient Joint Perception) and patients' satisfaction were also evaluated. RESULTS: Following the ERAS-outpatient surgery, complication rates were reduced by more than 50% (2.1 vs. 4.4, p<0.001), CCI was significantly lower (12.3 vs. 19.1, p<0.001), and similar unplanned episodes of care were observed (p>0.999). In the first 8 postoperative hours, perceived pain was similar (p>0.805) while opioid consumption was significantly reduced (9.3 vs. 26.5, p<0.001). Patients walked, climbed stairs, showered, performed activities of daily living, practised sports, went back to work sooner (p<0.001), but PROMs were similar between groups at the last follow-up (p>0.188). Patients were more satisfied of the ERAS-outpatient pathway and recommended it significantly more (p<0.002). CONCLUSION: Compared to the conventional inpatient care, the ERAS-outpatient program proved to be safer, enable faster functional recovery, and improve patients' satisfaction which highlight the importance of following ERAS principles when implementing an outpatient THA/TKA program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; Ambidirectional Cohort study.