Simultaneous vs staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a propensity-matched case-control study from nine fast-track centres.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data exist on patient safety after simultaneous vs staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in matched groups. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare length of stay (LOS), in-hospital complications, 30-day readmissions and mortality after simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA in matched patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of prospectively collected data in nine centres from February 2010 to November 2015. Propensity scores (PS) were used to match simultaneous and staged (1-6 months between stages) bilateral TKA patients with prospectively collected patient characteristics from the Lundbeck Foundation Centre for Fast-track THA and TKA Database. 30-day follow-up was acquired from the Danish Patient Registry and patient records. RESULTS: A total of 344 (47.1%) simultaneous and 386 (52.9%) staged bilateral TKA procedures were performed. PS matching was possible in 232 simultaneous and 232 staged bilateral TKA patients. LOS was median 4 days (IQR 3-5) after simultaneous and cumulated 4 days (IQR 4-6) after staged procedures. The in-hospital complication rate was 15.5% after simultaneous vs 7.3% (p = 0.004) after staged procedures. Two cases (0.9%) of venous thromboembolic events were found in each group. Eight patients (3.4%) were re-operated after simultaneous vs one patient (0.4%) after staged bilateral TKA (p = 0.037). The 30-day readmission rate was 8.6% after simultaneous vs 5.6% after staged procedures (p = 0.281). No patients died in either group. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences in 30-day readmission rates and mortality between simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA, but the in-hospital complication rate and re-operation rate was higher after the simultaneous procedure calling for further matched investigations in larger cohorts.

Safety aspects of preoperative high-dose glucocorticoid in primary total knee replacement.

Background: Preoperative single high-dose glucocorticoid may have early outcome benefits in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA), but long-term safety aspects have not been evaluated. Methods: From October 2013, the departments reporting to the prospective Lundbeck Foundation Database for Fast-track Hip and Knee Replacement introduced preoperative methylprednisolone (MP) 125 mg as part of a multimodal analgesic protocol in TKA. We analysed the risk of length of hospital stay (LOS) >4 days, 30 and 90 day readmissions in patients with MP vs patients having TKA before the use of MP and adjusted for comorbidity and place of surgery. An unadjusted comparison was specifically done to evaluate deep prosthetic infections. Results: Of a total of 3927 TKA procedures, 1442 received MP. Median LOS was 2 days in both groups, but the fraction with LOS >4 days was 6.0% vs 11.5% (P<0.001) in patients with MP vs those without, and with a reduced risk of LOS >4 days in adjusted analysis [odds ratio (OR) 0.51; confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.68; P <0.001]. Readmission rates were 5.6% (CI 4.5-6.9) vs 4.4% ( P =0.095) and 7.8% vs 7.3% ( P =0.53) at 30 and 90 days with and without MP, respectively. Conclusions: In this detailed prospective cohort study, preoperative high-dose glucocorticoid administration was not associated with LOS >4 days, readmissions or infectious complications in TKA patients without contraindications.

Time course and reasons for 90-day mortality in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative mortality is an important adverse outcome, including in total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, whether mortality is due to anaesthetic/surgical complications, surgically induced organ dysfunction or unrelated to surgery is rarely considered. METHODS: Prospective observational study in 13,775 consecutive THA/TKAs with similar fast-track protocols and a median length of stay of 2 days. Complete 90-days follow-up through national registries, followed by review of medical records and death certificates. Relation between mortality and surgically induced organ dysfunction were classified as certain, probable, possible or unlikely. RESULTS: Of a total of 44 deaths (0.3%), 28 (0.2%) were found to have certain or probably relation with surgery and were considered as surgery-related. Surgery-related deaths were more common after THA than TKA (0.3% vs. 0.1% P = 0.044), occurred after median 14 days and 19 of 28 were between day 0-30. Of the remaining 16 deaths (0.1%), nine were found to be possible and seven to be unlikely related to surgery, and occurred a median of 42 and 61 days after surgery. The most common initial organ dysfunction for surgery-related deaths was pulmonary (6/28) and gastrointestinal (6/28), while the most common reported cause of death were pulmonary (9/28) and cardiac events (6/28). In five of the seven unlikely related deaths mortality was attributed to underlying cancer. CONCLUSION: Ninety-days mortality was 0.3% in THA and TKA, but only 28 of 44 deaths (64%) were found to be surgery-related. Reporting total mortality rate or cause of death without considerations on surgery induced organ dysfunction, may be insufficient for future aims to reduce post-operative mortality.

Delirium after fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty - a cohort study of 6331 elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (PD) is a well-known complication among elderly surgical patients and associated with increased morbidity, mortality and length of stay (LOS). In elective orthopedic surgery, including hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), most studies report incidences between 5% and 10%. The multimodal optimization of perioperative care (fast-track) aims to enhance recovery and reduce morbidity and LOS, but limited data are available on the effect on PD. Consequently, the study investigated signs of PD associated with LOS > 4 days. METHODS: Prospective risk assessment study with retrospective analysis of discharge notes or medical records of signs of PD in 6331 elective primary unilateral THA and TKA patients ≥ 70 years, and LOS > 4 days. Preoperative patient characteristics collected from eight high volume centers with similar standardized fast-track protocols from January 2010 to November 2013. RESULTS: We identified 43 (0.7%) cases of PD symptoms mentioned as a reason for LOS > 4 days among the 789 patients with LOS > 4 days (12.5% of all THA and TKA). PD patients had a mean age of 80.7 [[95% CI] 79.3-82.1] years, being 4.0 [[95% CI] 2.5-5.5] years older compared to patients without PD (P < 0.001). LOS was median 10 [[Q2-Q3] 7-14] days in the PD group vs. 3 [2-3] days in the non-PD group (P < 0.001), without differences in gender or site of arthroplasty (P = 0.139 and 0.499, respectively). CONCLUSION: Postoperative delirium symptoms contributing to LOS > 4 days in fast-track THA and TKA are rare in elderly patients.

Preoperative anaemia and newly diagnosed cancer 1 year after elective total hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anaemia is a well-established risk factor for use of blood transfusions and postoperative morbidity. Consequently, focus on preoperative evaluation of haemoglobin levels is increasing. In this context, iron deficiency anaemia may be a symptom of undiscovered gastrointestinal (GI) cancer requiring further investigation. However, the association between preoperative anaemia and cancer 1 year after elective total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unknown. We evaluated 1-year cancer diagnoses, particularly GI cancers, in anaemic and non-anaemic THA and TKA patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective database on preoperative patient characteristics from six Danish orthopaedic centres was cross-referenced with the Danish Cancer Registry for information on diagnoses of new cancers 1 year after surgery. Crude cancer risk estimates were calculated using chi-square and Fisher's exact test in the total study cohort. Adjusted risk estimates were obtained using propensity scores and the Mantel-Haenzel statistic. RESULTS: Of 5400 procedures, 731 (13·5%) were in anaemic patients. These were older and had more comorbidity than non-anaemic patients. There were 17 (2·3%) and 79 (1·6%) new cancers in anaemic and non-anaemic patients, respectively (OR: 1·38; 95% CI: 0·81-2·35, P = 0·228). After propensity matching of 661 anaemic and 1305 non-anaemic patients, we found no association between preoperative anaemia and cancer (OR: 0·94; 95% CI: 0·51-1·73, P = 0·837) or with GI cancers specifically (OR: 0·80; 95% CI: 0·25-2·56, P = 0·707). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anaemia per se may not be related to being diagnosed with cancer 1 year after THA and TKA. The optimal criteria for preoperative referral of anaemic patients to gastroenterologist in elective THA and TKA need further investigation.

Role of patient characteristics for fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patient age and comorbidity have been found to increase the length of hospital stay (LOS), readmissions, and mortality after surgery, including in elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Whether the same applies in fast-track THA and TKA with early mobilization and an LOS aim of 2-4 days remains unanswered. METHOD: A prospective study on patient characteristics and comorbidity in consecutive unselected patients undergoing fast-track THA and TKA was cross-referenced with the Danish National Health Registry and medical charts allowing complete 90 days follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 3112 THA/TKAs were performed in 3020 patients. The mean age was 67 (range 18-97) years. The median LOS was 3 (inter-quartile range: 1) and the mean 3.0 days (range 1-34), with 91% having LOS ≤4 days. Age 76-80 [odds ratio (OR): 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-2.47], 81-85 (OR: 2.40; 1.45-4.00), and >85 yr (OR: 4.10; 2.15-7.82), preoperative cardiopulmonary disease (CPD) (OR: 1.40; 1.03-1.91), preoperative use of a mobility aid (OR: 1.95; 1.46-2.54), and living conditions (OR: 1.92; 1.44-2.54) were related to LOS >4 days. However, more than 75% of those aged over 80 yr or with these conditions had an LOS ≤4 days. Mortality and readmission rate were 0.22% and 6.6%, respectively, at 30 days and 0.42% and 9.3% at 90 days. Readmissions were similarly related to older age, CPD, and use of mobility aids. CONCLUSIONS: Fast-track THA and TKA with LOS of ≤4 days and discharge to home is feasible and safe, including in elderly patients with comorbidities.

Outcomes in smokers and alcohol users after fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and alcohol use impair post-operative outcomes. However, no studies include fast-track surgery, which is a multimodal-enhanced recovery programme demonstrated to improve outcome. We hypothesised that outcome is similar in smokers and alcohol users as in non-users after fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Prospective questionnaires on co-morbidity and smoking/alcohol use were cross-referenced with the Danish National Health Registry to investigate relationship between smoking/alcohol use and length of stay of > 4 days and readmissions ≤ 90 days after fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty. RESULTS: In 3041 consecutive patients, 458 reported smoking and 216 drinking > 2 drinks a day, of which 66 did both. Smokers/alcohol users were younger than non-users (mean age: 64.3 vs. 68.0 years, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed no relation between length of stay of > 4 days and smoking (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], P) (1.34 [0.92-1.95], 0.127) or alcohol use (0.59 [0.30-1.16], 0.127). Thirty- and ninety-day readmission rate was 6.6% (n = 201) and 9.4% (n = 285). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an increased risk of readmissions in smokers at 30 (1.60 [1.05-2.44], 0.028) but not 90-day follow-up (1.17 [0.80-1.73], 0.419). No increased risk of readmissions was found in alcohol users at 30 (0.94 [0.50-1.76], 0.838) or 90-day follow-up (0.83 [0.47-1.49], 0.532). No increased risk of specific readmissions (i.e. wound infections or pneumonia) typically related to smoking/alcohol use was found in smokers (1.56 [0.93-2.62], 0.091) or alcohol users (1.00 [0.47-2.15], 0.999) at 90-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Influence of smoking or alcohol use may be less pronounced in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty compared with data with conventional care programmes.

Functional intravascular volume deficit in patients before surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stroke volume (SV) maximization with a colloid infusion, referred to as individualized goal-directed therapy, improves outcome in high-risk surgery. The fraction of patients who need intravascular volume to establish a maximal SV has, however, not been evaluated, and there are only limited data on the volume required to establish a maximal SV before the start of surgery. Therefore, we estimated the occurrence and size of the potential functional intravascular volume deficit in surgical patients. METHODS: Patients scheduled for mastectomy (n=20), open radical prostatectomy (n=20), or open major abdominal surgery (n=20) were anaesthetized, and before the start of surgery, a 200 ml colloid fluid challenge was provided and repeated if a >or=10% increment in SV estimated by oesophageal Doppler was established. The volume needed for SV maximization defined the intravascular volume deficit. RESULTS: Forty-two (70%) of the patients needed volume to establish a maximal SV. For the patients needing volume, the required amount was median 200 ml (range 200-600 ml), with no significant difference between the three groups of patients. The required volume was >or=400 ml in nine patients (15%). CONCLUSION: The majority of anaesthetized patients present with a functional intravascular volume deficit before surgery. Although the deficit in general was minor, a fraction of patients presented with a deficit that may be of clinical relevance, emphasizing the importance of the individual approach of goal-directed fluid therapy.

Orthostatic intolerance and the cardiovascular response to early postoperative mobilization.

BACKGROUND: A key element in enhanced postoperative recovery is early mobilization which, however, may be hindered by orthostatic intolerance, that is, an inability to sit or stand because of symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion as intolerable dizziness, nausea and vomiting, feeling of heat, or blurred vision. We assessed orthostatic tolerance in relation to the postural cardiovascular responses before and shortly after open radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Orthostatic tolerance and the cardiovascular response to sitting and standing were evaluated on the day before surgery and 6 and 22 h after operation in 16 patients. Non-invasive systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) (Finometer), heart rate, cardiac output (CO, Modelflow), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and central venous oxygen saturation (Scv(O2)) were monitored. RESULTS: Before surgery, no patients had symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. In contrast, 8 (50%) and 2 (12%) patients were orthostatic intolerant at 6 and approximately 22 h after surgery, respectively. Before surgery, SAP, DAP, and TPR increased (P<0.05), whereas CO did not change (P>0.05) and Scv(O2) decreased (P<0.05) upon mobilization. At 6 h after operation, SAP and DAP declined with mobilization (P<0.05) and the arterial pressure response differed from the preoperative response both upon sitting (P<0.05) and standing (P<0.05) due to both impaired TPR and CO. At approximately 22 h, the SAP and DAP responses to mobilization did not differ from the preoperative evaluation (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The early postoperative postural cardiovascular response is impaired after radical prostatectomy with a risk of orthostatic intolerance, limiting early postoperative mobilization. The pathogenic mechanisms include both impaired TPR and CO responses.

Stroke volume averaging for individualized goal-directed fluid therapy with oesophageal Doppler.

BACKGROUND: An individualized fluid optimization strategy, based on maximization of cardiac stroke volume (SV) with colloid boluses (goal-directed therapy), improves outcome after surgery. Oesophageal Doppler (OD) is used for SV maximization in most randomized studies, but evidence-based guidelines for the SV maximization procedure are lacking and variation in SV may influence the indication for fluid administration. We measured beat-to-beat OD SV before and after fluid optimization in order to estimate the number of heartbeats for which SV needs to be averaged to provide an acceptable accuracy for goal-directed therapy with this technology. METHODS: Twenty patients scheduled for surgery were anaesthetized, followed by OD SV assessment. Thirty seconds of beat-to-beat data were recorded before and after volume optimization performed by successive boluses of 200 ml colloid until SV did not increase >or=10%. SV variability was assessed before and after the volume optimization when SV was measured beat to beat and when it was averaged over 2-10 heartbeats. RESULTS: Nineteen (95%) and 17 (85%) patients demonstrated an SV variability >or=10% before and after volume optimization, respectively, when SV was measured beat to beat. However, when SV was averaged over 10 heartbeats, only two (10%) and one (5%) of the patients demonstrated an SV variability >or=10% before and after optimization, respectively (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: OD SV variability is significantly reduced and reaches an acceptable level when SV is averaged over 10 heartbeats. The use of a shorter averaging period for SV may lead to incorrect volume administration in goal-directed fluid management.

Recommendations on thromboprophylaxis in major joint arthroplasty - many guidelines, little consensus?

Venous thromboembolic events remain a concern in total hip and knee arthroplasty. Consequently, several guidelines on thromboprophylaxis have been established. However, despite similarities in methodology for evaluation of evidence, discrepancies in guideline recommendations continue to exist. Furthermore, the results of older randomized clinical trials still have significant influence despite major improvements in perioperative care. In contrast, the results of recent large cohort studies with fewer thromboembolic events are mostly used only for background data. Here we outline some of the differences between the guidelines on thromboprophylaxis from the American College of Chest Physicians, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. We discuss differences in the methodology and focus of the guidelines potentially influencing the final recommendations. Future analyses are required, including data from modern care with early mobilization and short length of stay.

Analgesic consumption trajectories in 8975 patients 1 year after fast-track total hip or knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Persistent or increased long-term opioid consumption has previously been described following total hip- (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, detailed information on postoperative analgesic consumption trajectories and risk factors associated with continued need of analgesics in fast-track THA and TKA is sparse. METHODS: This is a descriptive multicentre study in primary unilateral fast-track THA or TKA with prospective data on patient characteristics and information on reimbursement entitled dispensed prescriptions of paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, anticonvulsants and antidepressants 1 month preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Patients were stratified according to preoperative opioid use. Postoperative analgesic consumption trajectories were stratified as increased, decreased or no use compared to the preoperative period. RESULTS: Of 8975 patients (4849 THA/4126 TKA), 33.9% had relevant reimbursed prescriptions 9-12 months postoperatively. Of 2136 (23.8%) patients with preoperative opioid use, 3.4% had unchanged opioid consumption at 9-12 months postoperatively. However, increased opioid consumption after 9-12 months occurred in 17.6 (TKA) and 10.2% (THA) compared to 9.9 and 6.3% in opioid-naive TKA and THA patients, respectively. Increased NSAID and paracetamol use was seen in 11.5 and 12.4% of all patients. Preoperative analgesic use (any), TKA, psychiatric disorder, tobacco abuse, cardiac disease and use of walking aids were associated with increased opioid consumption. CONCLUSION: Continued and increased opioid and other analgesic use occur in a clinically significant proportion of fast-track TKA and THA patients 9-12 months postoperatively, suggesting treatment failure and need for early intervention. Preoperative risk assessment may allow identification of patients in risk of increased postoperative opioid consumption. SIGNIFICANCE: We found a considerable fraction of patients with continued or increased opioid consumption 9-12 months after fast-track THA and TKA. Increase in opioid consumption was more frequent in preoperative opioid users than opioid-naive patients, but a pattern of increased analgesic consumption was present across all analgesics. Our data demonstrate a need for increased focus on long-term analgesic strategies and postoperative follow-up after THA and TKA, especially in preoperative opioid users.

Early morbidity after aseptic revision hip arthroplasty in Denmark: a two-year nationwide study.

Data on early morbidity and complications after revision total hip replacement (THR) are limited. The aim of this nationwide study was to describe and quantify early morbidity after aseptic revision THR and relate the morbidity to the extent of the revision surgical procedure. We analysed all aseptic revision THRs from 1st October 2009 to 30th September 2011 using the Danish National Patient Registry, with additional information from the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry. There were 1553 procedures (1490 patients) performed in 40 centres and we divided them into total revisions, acetabular component revisions, femoral stem revisions and partial revisions. The mean age of the patients was 70.4 years (25 to 98) and the median hospital stay was five days (interquartile range 3 to 7). Within 90 days of surgery, the readmission rate was 18.3%, mortality rate 1.4%, re-operation rate 6.1%, dislocation rate 7.0% and infection rate 3.0%. There were no differences in these outcomes between high- and low-volume centres. Of all readmissions, 255 (63.9%) were due to 'surgical' complications versus 144 (36.1%) 'medical' complications. Importantly, we found no differences in early morbidity across the surgical subgroups, despite major differences in the extent and complexity of operations. However, dislocations and the resulting morbidity represent the major challenge for improvement in aseptic revision THR.

Re-admissions, re-operations and length of stay in hospital after aseptic revision knee replacement in Denmark: a two-year nationwide study.

We present detailed information about early morbidity after aseptic revision knee replacement from a nationwide study. All aseptic revision knee replacements undertaken between 1st October 2009 and 30th September 2011 were analysed using the Danish National Patient Registry with additional information from the Danish Knee Arthroplasty Registry. The 1218 revisions involving 1165 patients were subdivided into total revisions, large partial revisions, partial revisions and revisions of unicondylar replacements (UKR revisions). The mean age was 65.0 years (27 to 94) and the median length of hospital stay was four days (interquartile range: 3 to 5), with a 90 days re-admission rate of 9.9%, re-operation rate of 3.5% and mortality rate of 0.2%. The age ranges of 51 to 55 years (p = 0.018), 76 to 80 years (p < 0.001) and ≥ 81 years (p < 0.001) were related to an increased risk of re-admission. The age ranges of 76 to 80 years (p = 0.018) and the large partial revision subgroup (p = 0.073) were related to an increased risk of re-operation. The ages from 76 to 80 years (p < 0.001), age ≥ 81 years (p < 0.001) and surgical time > 120 min (p < 0.001) were related to increased length of hospital stay, whereas the use of a tourniquet (p = 0.008) and surgery in a low volume centre (p = 0.013) were related to shorter length of stay. In conclusion, we found a similar incidence of early post-operative morbidity after aseptic knee revisions as has been reported after primary procedures. This suggests that a length of hospital stay ≤ four days and discharge home at that time is safe following aseptic knee revision surgery in Denmark.