Effect of Depression Interventions in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty Without a Formal Diagnosis of Depression: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Depression is a notable contributor to suboptimal outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). We conducted a systematic review of comparative studies to review the available evidence of interventions that affected depression scores and/or outcomes for patients undergoing TJA. METHODS: EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus were reviewed systematically from inception until November 15, 2022. Studies that were relevant for this review included comparative studies between patients who received an intervention within 3 months before or after their primary total hip or knee arthroplasty procedure. The interventions included a wide range of modalities, which were grouped into psychotherapy, enhanced perioperative support, and pharmacotherapy. Other interventions included physiotherapy techniques with a psychological focus, art/music-based therapy, occupational therapy support, and educational interventions. Meta-analysis was conducted for psychotherapy and enhanced support. RESULTS: The final systematic review consisted of 28 relevant studies, most of which were randomized controlled trials. A total of 3,702 patients, with a mean age of 66 years, were considered, of whom 59% were female. Most of the studies reported a notable reduction in depressive symptoms and/or scores based on the interventions being analyzed. At 3 months postoperatively, psychotherapy and enhanced support both resulted in markedly better depression and function scores compared with control subjects, with psychotherapy additionally improving pain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a wide range of interventions aimed at psychological optimization of patients undergoing TJA can improve depressive symptoms, pain, and function, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis of depression. Specifically, cognitive-based psychotherapy and enhanced perioperative support had the best evidence. Routine pharmacotherapy plays a limited role, if any, in the care of TJA. Additional efforts to develop pragmatic, evidence-based, and reproducible interventions are warranted to continue to optimize outcomes in TJA patients.

Good Short-Term Survivorship of Constrained Condylar Revision Knee Implants With Medial Pivot Kinematics: A Level IV Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The need for revision total knee arthroplasty surgery is increasing worldwide, and, in many cases, a constrained implant is required to provide joint stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the early loosening and functional outcome of a novel constrained condylar (CCK) revision total knee system designed to have medial pivot (MP) kinematics. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed, collecting clinical data from all patients who underwent revision total knee arthroplasty using a novel MP CCK system with a minimum four-year clinical follow-up. Patient demographics, survivorship, complications, and Forgotten Joint Score were analyzed based upon chart review. RESULTS: There were 49 patients available for follow-up, who had a 100% survivorship free of aseptic loosening. All-cause revision survivorship was 92%. There were 4 patients who subsequently underwent rerevision. The causes for rerevision included periprosthetic joint infection in 2 patients, coronal plane instability in one patient, and a traumatic knee dislocation in one patient. There were 45 patients who completed the Forgotten Joint Score, who had an average of 49.8 (± 32.8, range 6.25 to 100). CONCLUSIONS: At 4 years, mid-term follow-up, this novel CCK revision total knee system designed to have MP kinematics had good patient-reported outcomes with no revision for aseptic loosening. Future studies should evaluate the mid- and long-term survivorship of this innovative implant.

Treatment of Concurrent Depression and Its Effect on Outcomes After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies.

PURPOSE: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that patients with a diagnosis of depression suffer worse outcomes after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) procedures. It is unclear whether depression treatment is a modifiable risk factor that can be targeted to improve suboptimal outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to understand the role that various interventions have on outcomes of TJA in patients with diagnosed depression (PDDs). METHODS: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched systematically from inception until November 2022. Studies of PDDs who underwent TJA that compared any intervention/treatment of depression with a control group and reported pain, functional outcomes, depression scores, and/or revision rates after TJA were relevant for this review. RESULTS: Ten relevant studies were included in the final systematic review, with a total of 33,501 patients included. Two studies reported lower revision rates for patients receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment and psychotherapy. Two studies showed no difference in functional outcomes for patients receiving pharmacologic treatment. One study reported improved functional outcomes for patients receiving cognitive behavioral therapy and another reported improved postoperative functional outcomes for patients receiving alprazolam. CONCLUSION: Interventions targeted at PDDs may improve short-term pain and functional outcomes, and there may be an association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and implant survival. The current literature is limited and inconclusive, with important gaps in understanding regarding the optimization and treatment of this modifiable risk factor. Surgeons should consider depression treatment as a method to improve outcomes in this cohort.

2023 American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline for the Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty for Patients With Symptomatic Moderate-to-Severe Osteoarthritis or Advanced Symptomatic Osteonecrosis With Secondary Arthritis for Whom Nonoperative Therapy Is Ineffective.

OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based consensus recommendations for the optimal timing of hip and knee arthroplasty to improve patient-important outcomes including, but not limited to, pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year for patients with symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis of the hip or knee who have previously attempted nonoperative therapy, and for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective, and who have chosen to undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty (collectively referred to as TJA). METHODS: We developed 13 clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes (PICO) questions. After a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low), and evidence tables were created. A Voting Panel, including 13 physicians and patients, discussed the PICO questions until consensus was achieved on the direction (for/against) and strength (strong/conditional) of the recommendations. RESULTS: The panel conditionally recommended against delaying TJA to pursue additional nonoperative treatment including physical therapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, ambulatory aids, and intraarticular injections. It conditionally recommended delaying TJA for nicotine reduction or cessation. The panel conditionally recommended delay for better glycemic control for patients who have diabetes mellitus, although no specific measure or level was identified. There was consensus that obesity by itself was not a reason for delay, but that weight loss should be strongly encouraged, and the increase in operative risk should be discussed. The panel conditionally recommended against delay in patients who have severe deformity or bone loss, or in patients who have a neuropathic joint. Evidence for all recommendations was graded as low or very low quality. CONCLUSION: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations regarding the optimal timing of TJA in patients who have symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective to improve patient-important outcomes, including pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year. We acknowledge that the evidence is of low quality primarily due to indirectness and hope future research will allow for further refinement of the recommendations.

Metal hypersensitivity in foot & ankle orthopaedic surgery: A systematic review.

Introduction: Metal hypersensitivity affects 10-15% of individuals. Orthopaedic implants contain various metals and, therefore, metal hypersensitivity may impact patient outcomes. Purpose: We report a systematic review of the literature on metal hypersensitivity in patients undergoing foot and ankle (F&A) surgery. Our goal is to provide an overview presenting symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed from its inception (01-Jan 1966) to 23-Nov 2021. MeSH search terms on F&A were used including orthopaedic surgeries, metal types, and hypersensitivity. All full-text, English, experimental and observational studies reporting on metal hypersensitivity in the context of foot and/or ankle surgeries using metallic orthopaedic devices were included. Article screening, critical appraisal, and data extraction was performed by two reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: Fifteen studies were identified, reporting on 45 patients (18 male and 27 female). Median age was 58 years and mean follow-up was 20.8 months. 42 static and three arthroplasty implants were included. In total, 19 patients (42.2%) were diagnosed with metal hypersensitivity to a constituent of their implant, including two (4.4%) patients diagnosed without metal hypersensitivity testing. Twenty-six patients (57.8%) tested negative to their metal implant components. Of the 19 patients allergic to a constituent of their implant, 14 underwent hardware removal and improved. Four patients were asymptomatic and the last was symptomatic, but not revised. Of these, 23 patients retained their hardware (eight with skin reactions) and two symptomatic patients underwent hardware removal. Conclusion: Metal hypersensitivity in the context of F&A surgery is not widely reported. It should be a differential diagnosis in patients who present with hypersensitivity-type symptoms once infection and mechanical failure are ruled out. This data informs a comprehensive algorithm for identifying and treating metal hypersensitivity in F&A patients. Level of evidence: Level IV.

2023 American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline for the Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty for Patients With Symptomatic Moderate-to-Severe Osteoarthritis or Advanced Symptomatic Osteonecrosis With Secondary Arthritis for Whom Nonoperative Therapy Is Ineffective.

OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based consensus recommendations for the optimal timing of hip and knee arthroplasty to improve patient-important outcomes including, but not limited to, pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year for patients with symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis of the hip or knee who have previously attempted nonoperative therapy, and for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective, and who have chosen to undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty (collectively referred to as TJA). METHODS: We developed 13 clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes (PICO) questions. After a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low), and evidence tables were created. A Voting Panel, including 13 physicians and patients, discussed the PICO questions until consensus was achieved on the direction (for/against) and strength (strong/conditional) of the recommendations. RESULTS: The panel conditionally recommended against delaying TJA to pursue additional nonoperative treatment including physical therapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, ambulatory aids, and intraarticular injections. It conditionally recommended delaying TJA for nicotine reduction or cessation. The panel conditionally recommended delay for better glycemic control for patients who have diabetes mellitus, although no specific measure or level was identified. There was consensus that obesity by itself was not a reason for delay, but that weight loss should be strongly encouraged, and the increase in operative risk should be discussed. The panel conditionally recommended against delay in patients who have severe deformity or bone loss, or in patients who have a neuropathic joint. Evidence for all recommendations was graded as low or very low quality. CONCLUSION: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations regarding the optimal timing of TJA in patients who have symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective to improve patient-important outcomes, including pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year. We acknowledge that the evidence is of low quality primarily due to indirectness and hope future research will allow for further refinement of the recommendations.

2023 American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Clinical Practice Guideline for the Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty for Patients With Symptomatic Moderate-to-Severe Osteoarthritis or Advanced Symptomatic Osteonecrosis With Secondary Arthritis for Whom Nonoperative Therapy Is Ineffective.

OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based consensus recommendations for the optimal timing of hip and knee arthroplasty to improve patient-important outcomes including, but not limited to, pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year for patients with symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis of the hip or knee who have previously attempted nonoperative therapy, and for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective, and who have chosen to undergo elective hip or knee arthroplasty (collectively referred to as TJA). METHODS: We developed 13 clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes (PICO) questions. After a systematic literature review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to rate the quality of evidence (high, moderate, low, or very low), and evidence tables were created. A Voting Panel, including 13 physicians and patients, discussed the PICO questions until consensus was achieved on the direction (for/against) and strength (strong/conditional) of the recommendations. RESULTS: The panel conditionally recommended against delaying TJA to pursue additional nonoperative treatment including physical therapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, ambulatory aids, and intraarticular injections. It conditionally recommended delaying TJA for nicotine reduction or cessation. The panel conditionally recommended delay for better glycemic control for patients who have diabetes mellitus, although no specific measure or level was identified. There was consensus that obesity by itself was not a reason for delay, but that weight loss should be strongly encouraged, and the increase in operative risk should be discussed. The panel conditionally recommended against delay in patients who have severe deformity or bone loss, or in patients who have a neuropathic joint. Evidence for all recommendations was graded as low or very low quality. CONCLUSION: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations regarding the optimal timing of TJA in patients who have symptomatic and radiographic moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis or advanced symptomatic osteonecrosis with secondary arthritis for whom nonoperative therapy was ineffective to improve patient-important outcomes, including pain, function, infection, hospitalization, and death at 1 year. We acknowledge that the evidence is of low quality primarily due to indirectness and hope future research will allow for further refinement of the recommendations.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on total hip and knee arthroplasty in Ontario: a population-level analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective orthopedic surgery have yet to be reported at the population level in Canada. We sought to detail the effect of the pandemic on patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and on surgeons with respect to surgical volume, wait times and health care quality. METHOD: We compared patient length of hospital stay, revisions, readmissions and emergency department presentations between pre-pandemic (April 2019 to February 2020) and postpandemic (April 2020 to February 2021) cohorts of patients who underwent inpatient THAs or TKAs. Wait times for THA and TKA in Ontario were similarly collected. RESULTS: Case volumes for THA and TKA decreased by 30% during the pandemic. There were significantly fewer medically complex cases during this time period (p < 0.001). Length of hospital stay was reduced from 2.2 to 1.8 days (p < 0.001). Patients were less likely to visit the emergency department within 30 days of surgery (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent TKA were also more likely to be discharged directly home (p = 0.025). There was no difference in rate of revision surgery or readmission within 30 days. The proportion of patients meeting the standard benchmark wait time in Ontario was significantly lower (p < 0.001). The corresponding wait time to treatment increased significantly (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective THA and TKA case volumes and wait times was significant. Patients having surgery during the pandemic were less medically complex, had shorter length of hospital stays and had significantly less health care utilization.

Comparison of migration rates between traditional and tunneled adductor canal block catheters: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty is associated with significant postoperative pain. Continuous adductor canal blocks via an inserted adductor canal catheter are effective analgesia interventions with the advantage of decreasing quadriceps weakness and the potential of extending the analgesic effect. The classical adductor canal catheter insertion technique may have a high likelihood of catheter dislodgement out of the canal. The interfascial plane between the sartorius muscle and femoral artery (ISAFE) approach has the potential of decreasing the adductor canal catheter migration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of catheter dislodgment to outside the adductor canal, for ISAFE and classical approaches. We hypothesized that ISAFE approach would result in a lower dislodgment rate. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients for unilateral total knee arthroplasty were included and randomized to either ISAFE intervention group or conventional group. The primary outcome was the incidence of adductor canal catheter dislodged to outside the adductor canal, on ultrasound evaluation, 24 hours after the surgery. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, opioid consumption and continuous adductor canal block related complications for the first 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The catheters placed using ISAFE approach had a lower rate of dislodgement in comparison to the control group (18.6% vs 44.9%, respectively, p=0.01), at 24 hours after surgery; and lower pain scores for rest, on the first two postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: ISAFE group had a significantly lower rate of dislodgement at 24 hours. The continuous adductor canal block analgesic benefit for knee arthroplasty depends on the position of the tip of the catheter inside the adductor canal.

Physician engagement in organisational patient safety through the implementation of a Medical Safety Huddle initiative: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to increase physician engagement in quality and safety are most often approached from an organisational or administrative perspective. Given hospital-based physicians' strong professional identification, physician-led strategies may offer a novel strategic approach to enhancing physician engagement. It remains unclear what role medical leadership can play in leading programmes to enhance physician engagement. In this study, we explore physicians' experience of participating in a Medical Safety Huddle initiative and how participation influences engagement with organisational quality and safety efforts. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of the Medical Safety Huddle initiative implemented across six sites. The initiative consisted of short, physician focused and led, weekly meetings aimed at reviewing, anticipating and addressing patient safety issues. We conducted 29 semistructured interviews with leaders and participants. We applied an interpretive thematic analysis to the data using self-determination theory as an analytic lens. RESULTS: The results of the thematic analysis are organised in two themes, (1) relatedness and meaningfulness, and (2) progress and autonomy, representing two forms of intrinsic motivation for engagement that we found were leveraged through participation in the initiative. First, participation enabled a sense of community and a 'safe space' in which professionally relevant safety issues are discussed. Second, participation in the initiative created a growing sense of ability to have input in one's work environment. However, limited collaboration with other professional groups around patient safety and the ability to consistently address reported concerns highlights the need for leadership and organisational support for physician engagement. CONCLUSION: The Medical Safety Huddle initiative supports physician engagement in quality and safety through intrinsic motivation. However, the huddles' implementation must align with the organisation's multipronged patient safety agenda to support multidisciplinary collaborative quality and safety efforts and leaders must ensure mechanisms to consistently address reported safety concerns for sustained physician engagement.

Complications and early recovery following hip hemiarthroplasty through the direct anterior approach: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Minimizing complications is an important focus in hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA) for femoral neck fracture (FNF) patients given the associated high morbidity and mortality rates. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes associated with the direct anterior approach (DAA) compared to other surgical approaches used for HHA. METHODS: Studies evaluating HHA-treated FNFs using the DAA were compared through meta-analysis to all other surgical approaches combined and as distinct subgroups. Outcomes included overall complication rate, mortality rate, dislocation rate, reoperation rate, periprosthetic fracture rate, infection rate, length of stay (LOS), mobility, perioperative blood loss, operative time, and postoperative pain. RESULTS: Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, totaling 2,018 HHAs. DAA significantly reduced the overall complication rate (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 0.94, p = 0.01), dislocation rate (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.77, p = 0.01), and LOS (mean difference (MD) = -1.31 days, 95% CI - 2.12 to - 0.50, p = 0.002). Findings from studies that were not appropriate for meta-analysis were qualitatively summarized and suggested improved mobility and reduced postoperative pain with the DAA. Significant differences were not detected in any of the remaining outcomes. CONCLUSION: The DAA HHA appears to be safer, reduces hospital stay, and may improve early functional recovery. This article supports the DAA HHA as a safe option for the management of displaced intracapsular FNFs.

Improving Resource Utilization for Arthroplasty Care by Leveraging Machine Learning and Optimization: A Systematic Review.

Background: There is a growing demand for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) surgery. The applications of machine learning (ML), mathematical optimization, and computer simulation have the potential to improve efficiency of TJA care delivery through outcome prediction and surgical scheduling optimization, easing the burden on health-care systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate strategies using advances in analytics and computational modeling that may improve planning and the overall efficiency of TJA care. Methods: A systematic review including MEDLINE, Embase, and IEEE Xplore databases was completed from inception to October 3, 2022, for identification of studies generating ML models for TJA length of stay, duration of surgery, and hospital readmission prediction. A scoping review of optimization strategies in elective surgical scheduling was also conducted. Results: Twenty studies were included for evaluating ML predictions and 17 in the scoping review of scheduling optimization. Among studies generating linear or logistic control models alongside ML models, only 1 found a control model to outperform its ML counterpart. Furthermore, neural networks performed superior to or at the same level as conventional ML models in all but 1 study. Implementation of mathematical and simulation strategies improved the optimization efficiency when compared to traditional scheduling methods at the operational level. Conclusions: High-performing predictive ML-based models have been developed for TJA, as have mathematical strategies for elective surgical scheduling optimization. By leveraging artificial intelligence for outcome prediction and surgical optimization, there exist greater opportunities for improved resource utilization and cost-savings in TJA than when using traditional modeling and scheduling methods.

Impact of outpatient total hip or knee replacement on informal caregivers at home: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) offer significant cost savings to our health care system, the degree to which the burden of postoperative care has been transferred onto the informal caregiver is often overlooked. We performed a scoping review to identify the characteristics and factors that contribute to the burden of care experienced after outpatient THA and TKA. METHODS: We systematically searched electronic literature databases according to scoping review guidelines from inception to June 2021 for articles reporting the experiences of informal caregivers providing care for patients having undergone outpatient THA or TKA. Our review included English-language studies that sought to elucidate the impact on caregivers in the acute postoperative period (up to 6 wk after surgery). RESULTS: Our search yielded 1423 unique articles, which were screened for inclusion. We removed 310 duplicate records and excluded another 1099 articles because they did not meet the inclusion criteria for full-text screening with relevancy. We thus assessed 14 articles for full-text review, and none were found to meet our inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: We found no published data pertaining to the burden borne by informal caregivers who provide perioperative care to patients who have undergone ambulatory THA or TKA. Further research is needed to identify, quantify and determine the modifiability of the various characteristics and factors that contribute to caregiver burden in the outpatient setting.

Hemiarthroplasty for Unstable Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric intertrochanteric fractures remain a major public health concern due to the considerable disability, morbidity, mortality, and health care costs associated with these injuries. The underlying poor bone quality and unstable nature of these fractures makes them difficult to treat. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of hemiarthroplasty for unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures when compared to the traditional treatment options of open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: A retrospective 1:1 matched cohort of 150 patients who had intertrochanteric fractures treated with either hemiarthroplasty or ORIF was developed using a local institutional database. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative variables were collected with at least 1 year of patient follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed with use of Student's t-tests, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with ORIF were associated with significantly more blood loss and an increased need for revision surgery. This effect was most pronounced in Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification type 31.A3 fractures, as patients treated with ORIF experienced significantly slower postoperative mobilization, increased blood loss, increased readmission, and revision surgery rates. Hemiarthroplasty was associated with an increased risk of greater trochanter escape, which did not appear to effect outcomes in this subset of patients. CONCLUSION: Hemiarthroplasty may improve outcomes for patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures. The benefit of this technique is likely maximized in Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 31.A3 fractures. It remains a good option in the hands of experienced surgeons.

Risk of complications with prolonged operative time in morbidly obese patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a high body-mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for significant complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We explored whether operative time is a modifiable risk factor for infectious and thromboembolic complications. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study of the ACS-NSQIP registry, including all patients who underwent primary TKA (2015-2018), and were morbidly obese (BMI 40 kg/m2 or greater) was performed. We created four categories of operative time in minutes: less than 60, 60-90, 91-120, and greater than 120. The association of prolonged operative time with superficial/deep surgical site infection (SSI), DVT and PE within 30 days postoperatively was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 34,190 patients were included (median age 63 [IQR 57-68], mean BMI of 44.6 kg/m2 [SD 4.4]). The majority of patients had an operative time between 60-90 mins (n = 13,640, 39.9%) or 91-120 mins (n = 9908, 29.0%). There was no significant association between longer operative time and superficial/deep/organ-space SSI or PE. DVT risk was significantly increased. Patients with time exceeding 120 mins had nearly 2.5 greater odds of DVT compared to less than 60 minutes (OR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.39-4.39, P = 0.002). Odds of DVT were 1.73 times greater in those with time of 91-120 mins (OR 1.73, 95%CI: 0.98-3.05, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Early infection and thromboembolic complications with prolonged operative time in morbidly obese patients remain low. We did not identify a significant association with increased operative time and superficial/deep SSI, or PE. There was a significantly increased risk for deep vein thrombosis with prolonged operative time.

Quality indicators in primary elective total hip and knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) represent a significant portion of healthcare spending and are high-priority for quality improvement initiatives. This study aims to develop quality indicators (QIs) in the care of primary elective THA and TKA patients. These QIs serve a number of purposes including documentation of the quality of care, objective comparisons of institutions/providers, facilitating pay-for-performance initiatives, and supporting accountability, regulation, and accreditation. METHODS: A guideline-based approach, initially described by Kötter et al., was utilized. Eight clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were evaluated for candidate indicators (CIs). CIs with high-quality evidence and consensus statements were extracted. Eighteen additional CIs were included from previous work that evaluated quality improvement databases. Each CI and supporting evidence was submitted for independent review by an expert panel. The RAND Corporation-University of California, Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) appropriateness methodology was utilized and items were rated based on validity, reliability, and feasibility of measurement. After two rounds of ratings and ranking, a final ranked list of QIs was obtained. RESULTS: Fifty-six CIs were identified from the literature and CPGs or proposed by the expert panel. Two rounds of voting resulted in 12 total QIs that were deemed appropriate measures of high-quality care. The final 12 QIs were ranked by order of importance: use of peri-operative tranexamic acid, infusion of prophylactic antibiotics prior to inflation of tourniquet, appropriate post-operative venous thromboembolic prophylaxis, complication rate, rate of secondary procedure, readmission rate, early mobilization, average change of pre- to one year post-operative functional status, use of multimodal analgesia, use of neuraxial anesthesia, use of peri-articular injection in TKA, and use of pre-operative PO analgesia. CONCLUSION: This study is an expert opinion based on parameters observed in modern and high-quality academic settings. Twelve QIs are proposed to assess the quality of care in the peri-operative management of primary elective THA and TKA patients.