Comparison of Delphi Consensus Criteria and Musculoskeletal Infection Society Outcome Reporting Tool Definitions of Successful Surgical Treatment of Periprosthetic Knee Infection.

BACKGROUND: Agreement on success following surgical treatment for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is important for comparing the efficacy of different surgical approaches with varying consequences and outcomes and setting patient expectations. We compared success rates following two-stage exchange arthroplasty for knee PJI using two expert-consensus definitions of success. METHODS: Prospectively documented data for 57 knees treated by a single surgeon at an academic tertiary care center were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment outcomes were quantified using the Delphi Consensus Criteria and the Musculoskeletal Infection Society Outcome Reporting Tool (MSIS ORT). RESULTS: Success rates were 81% using the Delphi Consensus Criteria and 56% using the MSIS ORT (P = .008). The MSIS ORT success rates increased to 76% when aseptic revisions and deaths unrelated to PJI were not penalized as failures of treatment. Predicted probabilities of successful treatment in a hypothetical case scenario were lowest based on the MSIS ORT and similarly higher using Delphi Consensus Criteria and MSIS ORT modified for both women (53.0, 90.8, and 88.7%) and men (29.1, 89.1, and 89.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Study observations underscore the need for a uniformly accepted single definition of surgical treatment success.

Implant Position, Survivorship, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Manual Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Two related recent reports described high error rates for implant positioning and reduced implant survivorship in manual unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (MUKA) compared to robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RUKA). The present study scientifically replicated these reports by comparing MUKAs similarly performed by an experienced high-volume surgeon in similar patients using the same study methods as these reports. METHODS: A total of 216 consecutive MUKAs were retrospectively evaluated radiographically for achievement of implant positioning targets. Achievement of targets was compared to the published MUKA and RUKA outcomes and correlated with revision rates and patient-reported outcome measures. RESULTS: There were 20% of study MUKAs compared to 88.1% of comparison MUKAs (P < .001) and 31.4% of comparison RUKAs (P < .048) that failed to meet all 7 implant positioning targets. The MUKA revision rates were significantly lower in the study sample than for comparison MUKAs (3.2% versus 14.2%, P < .001). Implant survivorship was 91.7% (95% confidence interval 84.9, 98.5%) at 8.9 years compared to 70.0% (95% confidence interval 56.0, 80.0%) at 10.2 years, respectively. Most patient-reported outcome measures did not differ based on achievement of implant positioning targets (P ≥ .072). CONCLUSIONS: Present study findings indicate that observations in the 2 recent reports may not be generalizable to all UKA surgeons. Additional data on the relationship between implant positioning and revision as well as functional outcomes are needed to identify appropriate robotic arthroplasty applications.

Medicaid Patients Travel Disproportionately Farther for Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Access to high-quality care for revision total joint arthroplasty (rTJA) is poorly understood but may vary based on insurance type. This study investigated distance traveled for hip and knee rTJA based on insurance type. METHODS: A total of 317 revision hips and 431 revision knees performed between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Cluster sampling was used to select primary hips and knees for comparison. Median driving distance was compared based upon procedure and insurance type. RESULTS: Revision hip and knee patients traveled 18.2 and 11.0 miles farther for surgery compared to primary hip and knee patients (P ≤ .001). For hip rTJA, Medicaid patients traveled farther than Medicare patients followed by commercially insured patients with median distances traveled of 98.4, 67.2, and 35.6 miles, respectively (P = .016). Primary hip patients traveled the same distance regardless of insurance type (P = .397). For knee rTJA, Medicaid patients traveled twice as far as Medicare and commercially insured patients (medians of 85.0, 43.5, and 42.2 miles respectively, P ≤ .046). Primary knee patients showed a similar pattern (P = .264). Age and ASA-PS classification did not indicate greater comorbidity in Medicaid patients. CONCLUSION: Insurance type may influence rTJA referrals, with disproportionate referral of Medicaid and Medicare patients to nonlocal care centers. In addition to patient burden, these patterns potentially present a financial burden to facilities accepting referrals. Strategies to improve equitable access to rTJA, while maintaining the highest and most economical standards of care for patients, providers, and hospitals, are encouraged.

Fellowship-Trained Surgeons Experience a Learning Curve Performing Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) and revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) require considerable surgical proficiency, but are frequently delegated to the least experienced surgeons. This study examined the influence of surgeon experience on revision outcomes. METHODS: Prospective data on confirmed aseptic rTHAs (n = 122) and rTKAs (n = 195) performed by 4 fellowship-trained surgeons in the same practice were retrospectively analyzed. Surgeons were grouped based on years in practice (inexperienced [IE] first 2 years, early experience [EE] 4 to 6 years, and senior experience [SE] 15 to 17 years). Procedure duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), and reoperation rates were compared, controlling for potential covariates. RESULTS: Procedure durations varied based on surgeon experience for 3 of 4 rTHA diagnoses (P ≤ 0.001). Relative to the SE surgeon, procedure duration was 80.0 (95% confidence interval 61.7 to 98.4, P < 0.001) minutes longer for IE surgeons and 30.9 (95% confidence interval 17.5 to 44.3, P < 0.001) minutes longer for the EE surgeon. Procedure durations also varied based on surgeon experience for 3 of 4 rTKA diagnoses (P < 0.001), with the longest durations for IE surgeons. Procedure durations varied based on the interaction of surgeon experience, patient age, and body mass index. The EBL did not differ in rTHA based on surgeon experience (P = 0.978), but did differ for rTKA (P = 0.004). There were 25% of rTHAs performed by IE surgeons compared to 15.5% for the EE surgeon and 3.6% for the SE surgeon that underwent reoperation within a year of the index procedure (P = 0.064), with significantly more reoperations for the same indication among IE and EE surgeons (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Complex procedures completed by less experienced surgeons may result in longer procedures, higher EBL, and more early reoperations. Study findings implicate a learning curve for revision arthroplasty that continues for several years, warranting consideration of existing patient allocation and referral patterns.

Time Required for Planned and Unplanned Episodes of Care in Aseptic Hip and Knee Revision Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Studies indicate aseptic revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) and revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) requires much more effort but is reimbursed less than primary procedures per minute work time. This study quantified planned and unplanned work performed by the surgeon and/or their team during the entire episode of care "reimbursement window" and compared it to allowed reimbursement times by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). METHODS: Between October, 2010, and December, 2020, all unilateral aseptic rTHA and rTKA procedures performed by a single surgeon at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Time dedicated to planned work was calculated from surgery scheduling to 90 days postoperative. Impromptu patient inquiries and treatments after discharge but within the episode of care, involving the surgeon/surgeon team constituted unplanned work. Planned and unplanned work minutes were summed and divided by the number of patients reviewed to obtain average minutes of work per patient. Work time was compared to CMS allowable times for rTHA (617 minutes) and rTKA (520 minutes). RESULTS: There were 292 Aseptic rTKA and 63 aseptic rTHA procedures included. Based upon CMS allowable times per patient there were a mean of 4.4 hours (267 minutes) of uncompensated care time per rTKA patient and a mean of 2.4 hours (141 minutes) of uncompensated care time per rTHA patient. CONCLUSION: Aseptic revisions are substantially more complex than primaries, requiring work effort that is not commensurate with current reimbursements. Financially disincentivizing surgeons to care for patients requiring revision surgery could reduce patient access to care when high quality care is needed the most.

Relative Contribution of Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment Score Medical Comorbidities to Same-Day Discharge After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Selection of patients who can safely undergo outpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is an increasing priority given the growth of ambulatory TJA. This study quantified the relative contribution and weight of 52 medical comorbidities comprising the Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment (OARA) score as predictors of safe same-day discharge (SDD). METHODS: The medical records of 2748 primary TJAs consecutively performed between 2014 and 2020 were reviewed to record the presence or absence of medical comorbidities in the OARA score. After controlling for patients not offered SDD due to OARA scores and patients who were offered but declined SDD, the final analysis sample consisted of 631 cases, 92.1% of whom achieved SDD and 7.9% of whom did not achieve SDD. Odds ratios were calculated to quantify the extent to which each comorbidity is associated with achieving SDD. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of analysis cases were consistent with a high-volume TJA practice in a US metropolitan area. Among testable OARA comorbidities, 53% significantly decreased the likelihood of SDD by 2.3 (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) to 12 (history of post-operative confusion and pacemaker dependence) times. BMI between 30 and 39 kg/m2 did not affect the likelihood of SDD (P = .960), and BMI ≥40 kg/m2 had the smallest odds ratio in our study (2.28, 95% confidence interval 1.11-4.67, P = .025). CONCLUSION: Study findings contribute to the refinement of the OARA score as a successful predictor of safe SDD following primary TJA while maintaining low 90-day readmission rates.

Reduced Infection Rate After Aseptic Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty With Extended Oral Antibiotic Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The optimal postoperative antibiotic duration has not been determined for aseptic revision total knee arthroplasty (R-TKA) where the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is 3%-7.5%. This study compared PJI rates in aseptic R-TKA performed with extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis (EOAP) to published rates. METHODS: Aseptic R-TKAs consecutively performed between 2013 and 2017 at a tertiary care referral center in the American Midwest were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were administered intravenous antibiotics while hospitalized and discharged on 7-day oral antibiotic prophylaxis. Infection rates and antibiotic-related complications were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the 176 analysis patients were female, with an average age of 64 years and body mass index of 35 kg/m2. Instability and aseptic loosening comprised 86% of revision diagnoses. Overall, 87.5% of intraoperative cultures were negative, and the remainder were single positive cultures considered contaminants. PJI rates were 0% at 90 days, 1.8% (95% confidence interval 0.4%-5.3%) at 1 year, and 2.2% (95% confidence interval 0.6%-5.7%) at mean follow-up of approximately 3 years (range, 7-65 months). CONCLUSION: EOAP after aseptic R-TKA resulted in a PJI rate equivalent to primary TKA, representing a 2- to-4-fold decrease compared with published aseptic R-TKA infection rates. Further study on the benefits and costs of EOAP after aseptic R-TKA is encouraged.

Procedure Duration, Time Under Anesthesia, and Readmissions in Direct Anterior and Posterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Operative time is related to complications in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study compared operative time in direct anterior (DA) and posterior approach THA and whether differences were related to increased hospital readmissions within 90 days of discharge. METHODS: Prospectively documented data on 3,152 consecutively performed THAs by 16 surgeons at a large Midwestern United States academic healthcare system were retrospectively reviewed. All surgeons were beyond their learning curve. Cases characterized by factors extending operative time were excluded. A total of 1,235 analysis cases were performed with the DA approach and 1,608 with the posterior approach. DA patients had lower mean body mass index (P < .001), were more likely to be classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 1 or 2 (P < .001), and more likely to have surgery in an ambulatory setting (P < .001). RESULTS: Time under anesthesia was significantly longer for DA procedures by 19 to 27 minutes in hospital and ambulatory settings, respectively (P < .001). Increasing body mass index had a greater impact on anesthesia time for DA patients (P = .020). There were no differences in nontraumatic readmissions within 90 days of surgery based on surgical approach (P ≥ .480); however, significantly more DA patients classified as ASA-PS 3 or 4 were readmitted compared to those classified as ASA-PS 1 or 2 (P < .001), a difference not observed for posterior approach patients. CONCLUSION: Anesthesia time is a modifiable risk factor for patient safety and an important factor in healthcare resource utilization. Consideration of ways to reduce DA operative times is encouraged.

The AAHKS Clinical Research Award: Are Minimum Two-Year Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Necessary for Accurate Assessment of Patient Outcomes After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: The two-year minimum follow-up after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) required by most academic journals is based on implant survivorship studies rather than patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented burden on patients and staff and halted asymptomatic surveillance clinic visits to minimize exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine if clinically meaningful differences were observed in PROMs beyond one year after TKA. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on prospectively collected PROMs after 1093 primary TKAs at a suburban academic center. PROMs related to pain, function, activity level, and satisfaction were compared by subsequent follow-up intervals preoperatively, at 4 months, 1 year, and minimum 2 years using paired data analysis techniques. RESULTS: Pain with level walking and while climbing stairs improved from preoperative levels to 4-month, 1-year, and minimum 2-year follow-up. The University of California Los Angeles activity level and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement improved over the same intervals. Patient satisfaction improved over postoperative follow-up intervals (84.0%, 87.3%, and 90.9%). While PROMs improved with statistical and clinical significance preoperatively to 4-month to 1-year follow-up, improvements from 1-year to minimum 2-year follow-up were small and did not reach minimum clinically important differences for nearly all PROMs, demonstrating significant overlap of the 95% confidence intervals. CONCLUSION: While long-term follow-up after TKA remains important for implant survivorship, it appears that one-year PROMs are as clinically reliable and meaningful as two-year PROMs. Therefore, it is reasonable to question the currently accepted 2-year minimum follow-up requirement used in peer-reviewed research involving PROMs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Fate and Relevance of the Patella in Two-Stage Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty for Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether reimplantation of a patellar component during a two-stage revision for periprosthetic total knee arthroplasty infection (PJI) affects patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) or implant survivorship. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether patellar resurfacing during reimplantation confers a functional benefit or increases implant survivorship after two-stage treatment for PJI. METHODS: Two-stage revisions for knee PJI performed by three surgeons at a single tertiary care center were reviewed retrospectively. All original patellar components and cement were removed during resection and the patella was resurfaced whenever feasible during reimplantation. PROMs, implant survivorship, and radiographic measurements (patellar tilt and displacement) were compared between knees reimplanted with a patellar component versus those without a patellar component. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients met the inclusion criteria. Forty-three patients (41.7%) underwent reimplantation with, and 60 patients (58.3%) without a patellar component. At a mean follow-up of 33.5 months, there were no significant differences in patient demographics or PROMs between groups (P ≥ .156). No significant differences were found in the estimated Kaplan-Meier all-cause, aseptic, or septic survivorship between groups (P ≥ .342) at a maximum of 75 months follow-up. There was no significant difference in the change (pre-resection to post-reimplant) of patellar tilt (P = .504) or displacement (P = .097) between the groups. CONCLUSION: Patellar resurfacing during knee reimplantation does not appear to meaningfully impact postoperative PROMs or survivorship. Given the risk of potential extensor mechanism complications with patellar resurfacing, surgeons may choose to leave the patella without an implant during total knee reimplantation and expect similar clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Time Required for Planned and Unplanned Episodes of Care in Septic Two-Stage Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Septic revision total hip (rTHA) and knee (rTKA) arthroplasty requires more effort but is reimbursed less than primary procedures per minute of intraoperative time. This study quantified planned and unplanned work performed by the surgical team for septic 2-stage revision surgeries during the entire episode-of-care "reimbursement window" and compared that time to allowable reimbursement amounts. METHODS: Between October 2010 and December 2020 all unilateral septic 2-stage rTHA and rTKA procedures performed by a single surgeon at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Time dedicated to planned work was calculated over each episode of care, from surgery scheduling to 90 days postoperatively. Impromptu patient inquiries and treatments after discharge, but within the episode of care, involving the surgeon/surgeon team constituted unplanned work. Planned and unplanned work minutes were summed and divided by the number of patients reviewed to obtain average minutes of work per patient. RESULTS: Sixty-eight hips and 64 knees were included. For 2-stage rTHA and rTKA the average time per patient for planned care was 1728 and 1716 minutes and for unplanned care was 339 and 237 minutes. Compared to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' allowable reimbursement times, an additional 799 and 887 minutes of uncompensated time was required to care for 2-stage rTHA and rTKA patients. CONCLUSION: Two-stage revision procedures are substantially more complex than primary procedures. Financially disincentivizing surgeons to care for these patients reduces access to care when high-quality care is most needed. These findings support increasing the allowable times for 2-stage septic revision cases.

Complications and Outcomes Associated With a Novel, Prefabricated, Articulating Spacer for Two-Stage Periprosthetic Joint Infection Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Various prefabricated articulating spacer options have been described for 2-stage treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection, but their results are poorly generalizable between designs due to differing antibiotic and material properties. This study reports outcomes for a novel, prefabricated, commercially available cement-on-cement articulating spacer. METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing treatment with a prefabricated articulating cement spacer was performed. Outcomes were categorized as spacer complications, reimplantation rates, function, reinfection, and mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-six knees and 28 hips were analyzed. Spacer survival free of fracture, instability, or other implant-related complication until reimplantation was 100%. There were no bony or spacer fractures during the interstage or reimplantation. Reimplantation occurred in 84.6% of resected joints. Following spacer implantation, all but 1 patient was allowed to bear weight. The proportion of patients requiring an assistive device decreased from 67% prior to resection to 31% following reimplantation. Knee flexion improved from an average of 88.1° before resection to 111.9° following reimplantation. Eighty-seven percent of cases were infection free at mean follow-up of 16.6 ± 10.4 months. CONCLUSION: Study results demonstrate that this novel, prefabricated, articulating antibiotic spacer is safe, allows for good interstage function, and results in reasonable infection eradication rates at early term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

The AAHKS Clinical Research Award: Extended Oral Antibiotics Prevent Periprosthetic Joint Infection in High-Risk Cases: 3855 Patients With 1-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Surgical and host factors predispose patients to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While surgical factors are modifiable, host factors can be challenging, and there are limited data demonstrating that preoperative patient optimization decreases risk of PJI. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the one-year infection rate in high-risk patients. METHODS: A total of 3855 consecutive primary THAs and TKAs performed between 2011 and 2019 at a suburban academic hospital with modern perioperative and infection-prevention protocols were retrospectively reviewed. Beginning in January 2015, a 7-day oral antibiotic prophylaxis protocol was implemented after discharge for patients at high risk for PJI. The percentage of high-risk patients diagnosed with PJI within 1 year was compared between groups that did and did not receive extended antibiotic prophylaxis. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed, with P ≤ .05 denoting statistical significance. RESULTS: Overall 1-year infection rates were 2.26% and 0.85% after THA and TKA, respectively. High-risk patients with extended antibiotic prophylaxis had a significantly lower rate of PJI than high-risk patients without extended antibiotic prophylaxis (0.89% vs 2.64%, respectively; P < .001). There was no difference in the infection rate between high-risk patients who received antibiotics and low-risk patients (0.89% vs 1.29%, respectively; P = .348) with numbers available. CONCLUSION: Extended postoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis for 7 days led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in 1-year infection rates of patients at high risk for infection. In fact, the PJI rate in high-risk patients who received antibiotics was less than the rate seen in low-risk patients. Thus, extended oral antibiotic prophylaxis may be a simple measure to effectively counteract poor host factors. Moreover, the findings of this study may mitigate the incentive to select healthier patients in outcome-based reimbursement models. Further study with a multicenter randomized control trial is needed to further validate this protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III.

Safety of Same and Next Day Discharge Following Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Using Modern Perioperative Protocols.

BACKGROUND: Advances in perioperative care have enabled early discharge and outpatient primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, the safety of early discharge after revision TJA (rTJA) remains unknown and the COVID-19 pandemic will force decreased hospitalization. This study compared 90-day outcomes in patients undergoing aseptic rTJA discharged the same or next day (early) to those discharged 2 or 3 days postoperatively (later). METHODS: In total, 530 aseptic rTJAs performed at a single tertiary care referral center (December 5, 2011 to December 30, 2019) were identified. Early and later discharge patients were matched as closely as possible on procedure type, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, age, and body mass index. All patients were optimized using modern perioperative protocols. The rate of 90-day emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions was compared between groups. RESULTS: In total, 183 early discharge rTJAs (54 hips, 129 knees) in 178 patients were matched to 183 later discharge rTJAs (71 hips, 112 knees) in 165 patients. Sixty-two percent of the sample was female, with an overall average age and body mass index of 63 ± 9.9 (range: 18-92) years and 32 ± 6.9 (range: 18-58) kg/m2. There was no statistical difference in 90-day ED visit rates between early (6/178, 3.4%) and later (11/165, 6.7%) discharge patients (P = .214). Ninety-day hospital admission rates for early (7/178, 3.9%) and later (4/165, 2.4%) discharges did not differ (P = .545). CONCLUSION: Using modern perioperative protocols with appropriate patient selection, early discharge following aseptic rTJA does not increase 90-day readmissions or ED visits. As hospital inpatient capacity remains limited due to COVID-19, select rTJA patients may safely discharge home the same or next day to preserve hospital beds and resources for more critical illness.

Is There Benefit in Keeping Early Discharge Patients Overnight After Total Joint Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Total joint arthoplasty (TJA) cost containment has been a key focus for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spawning significant research and programmatic change, including a move toward early discharge and outpatient TJA. TJA outpatients receive few, if any, medical interventions before discharge, but the type and quantity of interventions provided for TJA patients who stay overnight in the hospital is unknown. This study quantified the nature, frequency, and outcome of interventions occurring overnight after primary TJA. METHODS: 1725 consecutive primary unilateral TJAs performed between 2012 and 2017 by a single surgeon in a rapid-discharge program, managed by a perioperative internal medicine specialist, were reviewed. Medical records were examined for diagnostic tests, treatments, and procedures, results of interventions, and readmissions. RESULTS: 759 patients were discharged on postoperative day 1. Eighty-four percent (641 of 759) received no medical interventions during their overnight hospital stay. Twelve (1.6%) received diagnostic tests, 90 (11.9%) received treatments, and 29 (3.8%) received procedures. Ninety-two percent (11 of 12) of diagnostic tests were negative, 66% of 100 treatments in 90 patients were intravenous fluids for oliguria or hypotension, and all procedures were in and out catheterizations for urinary retention. 90-day all-cause readmission rates were similar in patients who received (2.5%) and did not receive (3.3%) a clinical intervention. CONCLUSION: Most patients received no overnight interventions, suggesting unnecessary costly hospitalization. The most common issues addressed were oliguria, urinary retention, and hypotension. Protocols to prevent these conditions would facilitate outpatient TJA, improve patient safety, and reduce costs.

Time Required for Planned and Unplanned Episodes of Care in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: Has Anything Changed With a Growth in Outpatient Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine the total amount of time committed to planned and unplanned episodes of care related to primary, unilateral total joint arthroplasty (TJA), relative to a growth in outpatient TJA. METHODS: All primary, unilateral TJA procedures performed over a 7-year period by a single surgeon at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Time dedicated to planned work was calculated over each episode of care, from surgery scheduling to 90 days postoperatively. All telephone inquiries and readmissions involving the surgeon's direct input, over the episode of care, constituted time dedicated to unplanned work. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2018, as the proportion of outpatient TJAs increased, the average planned episode-of-care time per patient decreased from 412 minutes to 361 minutes. Despite a 108% increase in the total number of outpatient TJAs between 2017 and 2018 (51/432 (11.8%) to 106/555 (19.1%); P = .002), neither the average number of unplanned telephone inquiries (4.6 ± 3.8 vs 4.2 ± 3.7; P = .124), nor the mean time per patient required to respond to calls (23.1 ± 19.4 vs 21.2 ± 18 minutes, P = .135) differed. Between 2017 and 2018, the average total episode-of-care time per patient decreased from 403 minutes (376 planned + 27 unplanned) to 387 minutes (361 planned + 26 unplanned). CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in outpatient TJA, the average time required for planned and unplanned patient care remained relatively constant. The growth of outpatient TJA nationally should not trigger a change in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services benchmarks.

Contemporary 2-Stage Treatment of Periprosthetic Hip Infection with Evidence-Based Standardized Protocols Yields Excellent Results: Caveats and Recommendations.

BACKGROUND: This study quantified the effectiveness of contemporary and evidence-based standardized 2-stage treatment for periprosthetic hip infection. Findings illustrate potential limitations of criticisms of 2-stage protocols and potential consequences of adopting single-stage protocols before definitive data are available. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive hips treated with 2-stage resection and reimplantation were retrospectively reviewed. Standardized protocols were adhered to including implant resection, meticulous surgical debridement, antibiotic spacer, 6-week intravenous antibiotics, a 2-week drug holiday, and laboratory assessment of infection eradication before reimplantation. After reimplantation, patients were placed on prophylactic intravenous antibiotics until discharge and discharged on oral antibiotics for a minimum of 7 days until intraoperative cultures were final. Successful treatment was defined per Delphi-based International Multidisciplinary Consensus. RESULTS: The overall treatment success rate was 95.7% (44 of 46 cases) with mean infection-free survivorship of 67.2 (range, 23.8-106.4) months. Success rates were 100% for early and acute hematogenous infections regardless of host type and 100% for chronic infections in uncompromised hosts. 95% (19/20) of chronic infections in compromised hosts and 83.3% (5/6) of chronic infections in significantly compromised hosts were successfully treated. About 4% of primary hips and 20% of revision hips required repeat debridement and spacer exchange after initial resection. No patients died because of treatment. CONCLUSION: Details from this consecutive series of patients undergoing 2-stage treatment for hip infection suggest that some criticisms of 2-stage treatment as well as some arguments in support of single-stage treatment may be overstated. Promotion and uncritical adoption of single-stage treatment protocols are discouraged until further and more definitive data exist.

Topical Tranexamic Acid Increases Early Postoperative Pain After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has reduced blood transfusion following total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, non-human studies have linked TXA exposure with increased pain and decreased periarticular cell viability and cell death. This study evaluated early pain following THA performed with and without topical TXA. METHODS: A consecutive series of 213 THAs performed without TXA were compared to 169 THAs performed with topical TXA. A single surgeon using identical perioperative medical and pain control protocols performed procedures. Prospectively collected inpatient pain scores, time to first opioid, and opioid consumption in morphine milligram equivalents were evaluated in relation to TXA use and 10 additional covariates. Univariate relationships between independent and dependent variables with P ≤ .20 were entered into multivariate analysis using the General Linear Model. RESULTS: Patients who received topical TXA reported higher mean 24-hour pain scores compared to patients who did not receive TXA (P = .006). Patients with topical TXA requested opioids significantly sooner (means of 152 vs 246 minutes, P = .033). An average of 56.07 morphine milligram equivalents were consumed during the first 24 hours after post-acute care unit discharge by patients who received topical TXA compared to 31.26 by patients who did not receive TXA (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Topical TXA use was associated with greater early postoperative pain and opioid consumption in primary THA patients. Findings were supported by the magnitude of observed effects and the likelihood of clinical relevance. Replication and consideration of potential adverse consequences of TXA use in elective settings is encouraged.

Does Patellofemoral Disease Affect Outcomes in Contemporary Medial Fixed-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Pre-existing patellofemoral disease has traditionally been a contraindication to unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), as proposed by Kozinn and Scott. More recently, some propose that patellofemoral disease can be ignored in UKA; however, the supporting research is predominantly in mobile-bearing designs. The study purpose was to evaluate the effect of patellofemoral disease osteoarthritis severity on latest outcomes after fixed-bearing medial UKA. METHODS: A retrospective review of 147 consecutive medial fixed-bearing UKAs with minimum 1-year follow-up was performed. The medial and lateral patellofemoral compartments were graded according to the Kellgren & Lawrence grading system, Osteoarthritis Research Society International atlas, and intraoperative assessment performed using the Outerbridge classification. Prospectively collected University of California Los Angeles Activity Level, modern Knee Society pain and function scores, and Likert scale satisfaction were correlated with presence and severity of pre-existing patellofemoral disease. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three medial UKAs were analyzed with mean age, body mass index, and follow-up of 64.1 years, 30.7 kg/m2, and 24.0 months, respectively. No correlations were observed between patellofemoral disease severity and patient-reported outcome measures at latest follow-up or improvement scores for Kellgren & Lawrence grading system or Osteoarthritis Research Society International atlas (P ≥ .058). Improvement in activity level scores was significantly higher for patients with less patellar and trochlear chondral damage despite not reaching minimal clinically important difference of 2.0 (P ≤ .028). Regardless of patellofemoral disease severity, 93% of UKAs were satisfied or very satisfied. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes of fixed-bearing medial UKA were not adversely impacted by intraoperatively visualized or radiographically evaluated patellofemoral disease. Furthermore, long-term follow-up is warranted and caution should be used before considering patellofemoral disease as a contraindication for UKA.

Predictors of Patient Satisfaction Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Results from a Traditional Statistical Model and a Machine Learning Algorithm.

BACKGROUND: It is well-documented in the orthopedic literature that 1 in 5 patients are dissatisfied following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, multiple statistical models have failed to explain the causes of dissatisfaction. Furthermore, payers are interested in using patient-reported satisfaction scores to adjust surgeon reimbursement rates without a full understanding of the influencing parameters. The purpose of this study was to more comprehensively identify predictors of satisfaction and compare results using both a statistical model and a machine learning (ML) algorithm. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive TKAs performed by 2 surgeons was conducted. Identical perioperative protocols were utilized by both surgeons. Patients were grouped as satisfied or unsatisfied based on self-reported satisfaction scores. Fifteen variables were correlated with satisfaction using binary logistic regression and stochastic gradient boosted ML models. RESULTS: In total, 1325 consecutive TKAs were performed. After exclusions, 897 TKAs were available with minimum 1-year follow-up. Overall, 85.3% of patients were satisfied. Older age generation and performing surgeon were predictors of satisfaction in both models. The ML model also retained cruciate-retaining/condylar-stabilizing implant; lack of inflammatory conditions, preoperative narcotic use, depression, and lumbar spine pain; female gender; and a preserved posterior cruciate ligament as predictors of satisfaction which allowed for a significantly higher area under the receiver operator characteristic curve compared to the binary logistic regression model (0.81 vs 0.60). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that patient satisfaction may be multifactorial with some factors beyond the scope of a surgeon's control. Further study is warranted to investigate predictors of patient satisfaction particularly with awareness of differences in results between traditional statistical models and ML algorithms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.