Characterizing neck injuries in the national football league: a descriptive epidemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Neck injury is a common and often debilitating injury among athletes participating in American football. Limited data exists regarding neck injuries among elite athletes in the National Football League (NFL). To characterize the epidemiology of non-season ending, season-ending, and career-ending neck injuries in the NFL from 2016 through 2021. METHODS: Athletes who sustained neck injuries were identified using the NFL's injured reserve (IR) list between the 2016 and 2021 seasons. Demographics and return to sport (RTS) data were collected. Available game footages were reviewed to identify the mechanism of injury (MOI). Injury incidence rates were calculated based on per team play basis. RESULTS: During the 6-year study period, 464 players (mean age 26.8 ± 3.2 years) were placed on the injury reserve list due to neck injuries. There were 285 defensive players and 179 offensive players injured (61.4 vs 38.6%, respectively, p < 0.001). Defensive back was the most common position to sustain a neck injury (111 players, 23.9%). 407 players (87.7%) sustained non-season-ending injuries with a mean RTS at 9.2 ± 11.3 days. 36 players (7.8%) sustained season-ending injuries with a mean RTS at 378.6 ± 162.0 days. 21 players (4.5%) sustained career-ending injuries. The overall incidence of neck injuries was 23.5 per 10,000 team plays. The incidence of season-ending injuries and career-ending injuries were 1.82 and 1.06 per 10,000 team plays, respectively. There were 38 injuries with available footages for MOI assessment (23 non-season-ending, 9 season-ending, 6 career-ending). Head-to-head contact was seen in 15 injuries (39.5%), head-down tackling in 11 injuries (28.9%), direct extremity-to-head contact in 7 injuries (18.4%), and head-to-ground contact in 5 injuries (13.2%). There was no significant difference in age, position, or MOI among players sustaining non-season-ending, season-ending, and career-ending injuries. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of neck injuries among NFL athletes with predictable MOIs including head-to-head contact, head-down tackling, direct extremity-to-head contact, and head-to-ground contact. Defensive players were more likely to sustain neck injuries compared to offensive players. Defensive back was the most common position to sustain a neck injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Fractures of the posterior malleolus: a systematic review and analysis of patient-reported outcome scale selection.

PURPOSE: Despite the extensive use of PROs in ankle fracture research, no study has quantified which PROs are most commonly used for assessing outcomes of patients who sustain fractures of the posterior malleolus. The purpose of this study was therefore to quantify which PROs are most commonly used for outcome research after posterior malleolus fractures. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Articles were identified through Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and cochrane central register of controlled trials through May of 2021. Included articles were analyzed for the primary outcome of the most commonly reported PRO. RESULTS: The American orthopedic foot and ankle ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS) was the most commonly used PRO for assessment of posterior malleolus fracture outcomes, used in 37 of 72 studies (51.4%). The second and third most common were the olerud-molander ankle score (OMAS) (22 studies, 30.6%) and the visual analogue score (VAS) (21 studies, 29.2%). Eleven different PROs were used only once. Quality of evidence was graded as low given the percentage of studies that were observational or case series (68 of 72 studies, 94.4%). CONCLUSION: Investigators have used many different PROs to assess outcomes for posterior malleolus fractures, the most common of which are the AOFAS, OMAS, and VAS. Future investigators should attempt to unify outcome reporting for these injuries.

A national analysis on complications and readmissions for adult cerebral palsy patients undergoing primary spinal fusion surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective National Database Study. OBJECTIVE: Surgical intervention with spinal fusion is often indicated in cerebral palsy (CP) patients with progressive scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to utilize the National Readmission Database to determine the national estimates of complication rates, 90-day readmission rates, and costs associated with spinal fusion in adult patients with CP. METHODS: The 2012-2015 NRD databases were queried for all adult (age ≥ 19 years) patients diagnosed with CP (ICD-9: 333.71, 343.0-4, and 343.8-9) undergoing spinal fusion (ICD-9: 81.00-08). RESULTS: 1166 adult patients with CP (42.7% female) underwent spinal fusion surgery between 2012 and 2015. 153 (13.1%) were readmitted within 90 days following the primary surgery, with a mean 33.8 ± 26.5 days. Mean hospital charge of the primary admission was $141,416 ± $157,359 and $167,081 ± $145,416 for the non-readmitted and readmitted patients, respectively (p = 0.06). The mean 90-day readmission charge was $72,479 ± $104,100. Most common complications with the primary admission included UTIs (no readmission vs. readmission: 7.6% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.18), respiratory (6.9% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.62), implant (3.8% vs. 6.0%; p = 0.21), and paralytic ileus (3.6% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.858). Multivariate analyses demonstrated the following as independent predictors for 90-day readmission: comorbid anemia (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-4.9; p < 0.001), coagulopathy (2.9, 1.1-8.0, 0.037), perioperative blood transfusion (2.0, 1.1-3.8, 0.026), wound complication (6.4, 1.3-31.6, 0.023), and transfer to short-term hospital versus routine disposition (4.9, 1.0-23.3, 0.045). CONCLUSION: Quality improvement efforts should be aimed at reducing rates of infection related complications as this was the most common reason for short-term complications and unplanned readmission following surgery.

CT-to-fluoroscopy registration versus scan-and-plan registration for robot-assisted insertion of lumbar pedicle screws.

OBJECTIVE: Pedicle screw insertion for stabilization after lumbar fusion surgery is commonly performed by spine surgeons. With the advent of navigation technology, the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion has increased. Robotic guidance has revolutionized the placement of pedicle screws with 2 distinct radiographic registration methods, the scan-and-plan method and CT-to-fluoroscopy method. In this study, the authors aimed to compare the accuracy and safety of these methods. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at 2 centers to obtain operative data for consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted lumbar pedicle screw placement. The newest robotic platform (Mazor X Robotic System) was used in all cases. One center used the scan-and-plan registration method, and the other used CT-to-fluoroscopy for registration. Screw accuracy was determined by applying the Gertzbein-Robbins scale. Fluoroscopic exposure times were collected from radiology reports. RESULTS: Overall, 268 patients underwent pedicle screw insertion, 126 patients with scan-and-plan registration and 142 with CT-to-fluoroscopy registration. In the scan-and-plan cohort, 450 screws were inserted across 266 spinal levels (mean 1.7 ± 1.1 screws/level), with 446 (99.1%) screws classified as Gertzbein-Robbins grade A (within the pedicle) and 4 (0.9%) as grade B (< 2-mm deviation). In the CT-to-fluoroscopy cohort, 574 screws were inserted across 280 lumbar spinal levels (mean 2.05 ± 1.7 screws/ level), with 563 (98.1%) grade A screws and 11 (1.9%) grade B (p = 0.17). The scan-and-plan cohort had nonsignificantly less fluoroscopic exposure per screw than the CT-to-fluoroscopy cohort (12 ± 13 seconds vs 11.1 ± 7 seconds, p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Both scan-and-plan registration and CT-to-fluoroscopy registration methods were safe, accurate, and had similar fluoroscopy time exposure overall.

Spinal fusion in pediatric patients with marfan syndrome: a nationwide assessment on short-term outcomes and readmission risk.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to utilize the National Readmission Database (NRD) to determine estimates for complication rates, 90-day readmission rates, and hospital costs associated with spinal fusion in pediatric patients with Marfan syndrome. METHODS: The 2012-2015 NRD databases were queried for all pediatric (< 19 years old) patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome undergoing spinal fusion surgery. The primary outcome variables in this study were index admission complications and 90-day readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients with Marfan syndrome underwent spinal fusion surgery between 2012 and 2015 (mean age ± standard deviation at the time of surgery: 14 ± 2.0, 132 (53%) female). 25 (10.1%) were readmitted within 90 days of the index hospital discharge date. Overall, 59.7% of patients experienced at least one complication during the index admission. Unplanned 90-day readmission could be predicted by older age (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3-4.2, p = 0.006), Medicaid insurance status (56.0, 3.8-820.0, p = 0.003), and experiencing an inpatient medical complication (42.9, 4.6-398.7, p = 0.001). Patients were readmitted for wound dehiscence (8 patients, 3.2%), nervous system related complications (3 patients, 1.2%), and postoperative infectious related complications (4 patients, 1.6%). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to demonstrate on a national level the complications and potential risk factors for 90-day hospital readmission for patients with Marfan syndrome undergoing spinal fusion. Patients with Marfan syndrome undergoing spinal fusion often present with multiple medical comorbidities that must be managed carefully perioperatively to reduce inpatient complications and early hospital readmissions.

Real-time navigation guidance with intraoperative CT imaging for pedicle screw placement using an augmented reality head-mounted display: a proof-of-concept study.

OBJECTIVE: Augmented reality (AR) has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of instrumentation placement in spinal fusion surgery, increasing patient safety and outcomes, optimizing ergonomics in the surgical suite, and ultimately lowering procedural costs. The authors sought to describe the use of a commercial prototype Spine AR platform (SpineAR) that provides a commercial AR head-mounted display (ARHMD) user interface for navigation-guided spine surgery incorporating real-time navigation images from intraoperative imaging with a 3D-reconstructed model in the surgeon's field of view, and to assess screw placement accuracy via this method. METHODS: Pedicle screw placement accuracy was assessed and compared with literature-reported data of the freehand (FH) technique. Accuracy with SpineAR was also compared between participants of varying spine surgical experience. Eleven operators without prior experience with AR-assisted pedicle screw placement took part in the study: 5 attending neurosurgeons and 6 trainees (1 neurosurgical fellow, 1 senior orthopedic resident, 3 neurosurgical residents, and 1 medical student). Commercially available 3D-printed lumbar spine models were utilized as surrogates of human anatomy. Among the operators, a total of 192 screws were instrumented bilaterally from L2-5 using SpineAR in 24 lumbar spine models. All but one trainee also inserted 8 screws using the FH method. In addition to accuracy scoring using the Gertzbein-Robbins grading scale, axial trajectory was assessed, and user feedback on experience with SpineAR was collected. RESULTS: Based on the Gertzbein-Robbins grading scale, the overall screw placement accuracy using SpineAR among all users was 98.4% (192 screws). Accuracy for attendings and trainees was 99.1% (112 screws) and 97.5% (80 screws), respectively. Accuracy rates were higher compared with literature-reported lumbar screw placement accuracy using FH for attendings (99.1% vs 94.32%; p = 0.0212) and all users (98.4% vs 94.32%; p = 0.0099). The percentage of total inserted screws with a minimum of 5° medial angulation was 100%. No differences were observed between attendings and trainees or between the two methods. User feedback on SpineAR was generally positive. CONCLUSIONS: Screw placement was feasible and accurate using SpineAR, an ARHMD platform with real-time navigation guidance that provided a favorable surgeon-user experience.

Increased hip arthroscopy operative duration is an independent risk factor for overnight hospital admission.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between operative duration and short-term complications as well as overnight hospital admission following hip arthroscopy. METHODS: Hip arthroscopy cases from 2006 to 2016 were retrieved from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry, which prospectively collects 30-day postoperative complications. Patients were stratified into the following groups based on procedure length: group 1 (< 60 min), group 2 (60-120 min), and group 3 (> 120 min). Preoperative characteristics were compared across the cohorts. Multivariate regressions were used to compare complication rates and overnight hospital admission between the three groups. Independent risk factors for overnight hospital admission were characterized. RESULTS: A total of 2129 hip arthroscopy cases were identified. Average operative duration was 99.3 ± 55.7 min. As operative time increased, patients were more likely to be younger, male, and had lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (p < 0.001). Body mass index and comorbidity profiles were similar across the patient cohorts, with the exception of hypertension being more prevalent in the shorter operative time cohort (p < 0.001). Patients in group 3 were more likely to stay overnight in the hospital (26.0%) compared to patients in groups 1 (7.7%) and 2 (10.9%), p < 0.001). All postoperative complication rates were otherwise similar between the cohorts. Independent risk factors for overnight hospital admission included increasing operative time (most notably > 120 min relative to < 60 min, relative risk [RR] = 3.53, 95% CI 2.50-5.00, p < 0.001) and increasing ASA classification (most notably ASA III or IV relative to ASA I, RR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.18-2.27; p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing operative duration was not associated with increased postoperative complications following hip arthroscopy. However, patients were more than three times likely to stay in the hospital overnight if their surgery was longer than 120 min, relative to cases that were less than 60 min. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Recent trends in Medicare utilization and surgeon reimbursement for shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Recent efforts to contain health care costs and move toward value-based health care have intensified, with a continued focus on Medicare expenditures, especially for high-volume procedures. As total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) volume continues to increase, especially within the Medicare population, it is important for orthopedic surgeons to understand recent trends in the allocation of health care expenditures and potential effects on reimbursements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in annual Medicare utilization and provider reimbursement rates for shoulder arthroplasty procedures between 2012 and 2017. METHODS: This study tracked annual Medicare claims and payments to shoulder arthroplasty surgeons via publicly available databases and aggregated data at the county level. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate trends in procedure volume, utilization rate (per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries), and reimbursement rate. We used adjusted multiple linear regression models to examine associations between county-specific variables (ie, urban or rural, average household income, poverty rate, percentage Medicare population, and race and ethnicity demographics) and procedure volume, utilization rate, and reimbursement rate. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2017, there was an 81.3% increase in primary TSA volume and 55.5% increase in primary TSA utilization. The Midwest and South had higher utilization rates than the Northeast and West (P < .001). TSA utilization rates in metropolitan areas were significantly higher than in rural areas (P < .001). Utilization rates for primary TSA procedures also had a significant negative association with poverty rate (P < .001). Regarding reimbursements, the Medicare payment per TSA case decreased from 2012 to 2017, with overall inflation-adjusted decreases of 7.1% and 11.8% for primary and revision cases, respectively. TSAs performed in metropolitan areas received significantly higher reimbursements per case than TSAs performed in rural areas ($1108.05 and $1066.40, respectively; P = .002). Furthermore, reimbursements per case were on average higher in the Northeast and West than in the South and Midwest (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that although TSA volume and per capita utilization have increased dramatically since 2012, Medicare Part B reimbursements to surgeons have continued to fall even after the adoption of bundled-payment models for orthopedic procedures. Cost-containment efforts continue to focus on Medicare reimbursements to surgeons, although other expenditures such as hospital payments and operational and implant costs must also be evaluated as part of an overall transition to value-based health care.

Risks and Complications After Arthroplasty for Pathological or Impending Pathological Fracture of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for metastatic osseous lesions of the proximal femur include hemiarthroplasty (HA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) depending on lesion characteristics and patient demographics. Studies assessing short-term outcomes after HA/THA in this patient population are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this present study was to identify short-term rates of morbidity and mortality after HA/THA for pathological proximal femur fractures, as well as readmission and reoperation rates and reasons. METHODS: This study utilized a large, prospectively collected registry to identify patients who underwent HA/THA between 2011 and 2018. Patients were stratified by indication for surgery, including pathological fracture, nonpathological fracture, and osteoarthritis. Baseline patient characteristics and postoperative complications were compared using bivariate and/or multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In total, 883 patients undergoing HA/THA for a pathological fracture were identified. Relative to an osteoarthritis cohort, these patients tended to be older, had a lower body mass index, and had significantly more preoperative comorbidities. These patients had high rates of total complications (13.93%), including thirty-day mortality (3.29%), unplanned return to the operating room (4.98%), and pulmonary complications (3.85%). Patients with pathological fracture had a longer operative duration relative to osteoarthritis and nonpathological cohorts (+27 and +25 minutes, respectively), despite having high rates of HAs performed. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for pathologic proximal femur fracture have increased morbidity and mortality relative to an osteoarthritis cohort. However, patients with a pathological fracture have similar rates of morbidity and mortality when compared with a nonpathological fracture cohort, but did experience higher rates of perioperative blood transfusion and unplanned readmissions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Operative Duration and Short-Term Postoperative Complications after Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged operative duration is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in many orthopedic procedures ranging from shoulder arthroscopy to total hip and knee arthroplasties. It has not been well studied in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of operative duration on complications after UKA. METHODS: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry, we identified all primary unilateral UKAs from 2005 to 18. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on the operative duration: < 90 minutes, between 90 and 120 minutes, and >120 minutes. Baseline patient and operative demographics (age, gender, etc.) and thirty-day complications were compared using bivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the independent effect of operative duration on postoperative outcomes after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 11,806 patients who underwent primary UKA from 2005 to 18. There was no difference in the "any complication" rate between cohorts. However, operative duration >120 minutes was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of reoperation (odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-3.57, P = .015), non-home discharge (OR: 2.14, CI: 1.65-2.77, P < .001), surgical site infection (OR: 1.76, CI: 1.03-3.01, P = .038), and blood transfusions (OR: 3.23, CI: 1.44-7.22, P = .004) when compared with operative duration <90 minutes. There was no difference in mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Increased operative duration greater than 2 hours in primary UKA is associated with an increased risk of non-home discharge, surgical site infection, reoperation, and blood transfusion.

Procedure length is independently associated with overnight hospital stay and 30-day readmission following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to characterize the independent effect of procedure length on the rates of 30-day perioperative complications, hospital readmissions, and overnight hospital stay in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). We hypothesized that longer procedure length in primary ACLR increases the risk for post-operative complications. METHODS: Primary ACLR cases from 2005 to 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry. Patients were categorized into two cohorts based on procedure length, either less than or greater than 90 min. Two equal-sized propensity-matched cohorts were generated to account for differences in baseline and operative characteristics. Thirty-day clinical outcomes were compared using bivariate analyses between propensity-matched groups that controlled for patient-specific factors and concurrent meniscal repair. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of hospital readmission and overnight hospital stay. RESULTS: In total, 12,077 ACLR cases were identified. The rate of any 30-day complication was increased in longer procedures relative to shorter procedures (1.6% vs 0.9%, p = 0.006), as were the rates of returning to the operating room (0.6% vs 0.3%, p = 0.03), hospital readmission (1.0% vs 0.3%, p = 0.001), and overnight hospital stay (16.2% vs 6.0%, p < 0.001). Obesity was a risk factor for both hospital readmission and overnight hospital stay, while hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a smoking history were associated with increased rates of overnight hospital stay. The most common reasons for hospital readmission were deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (25.0% of all readmitted patients), surgical site infection (25.0%), and post-operative pain (14.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this propensity-matched analysis adjusting for baseline patient characteristics and operative factors, procedure length of greater than or equal to 90 min in ACLR was independently associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission and overnight hospital stay. As a surrogate measure of surgical complexity, operative time may be a useful perioperative variable for post-operative risk stratification and patient counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Is surgical duration associated with postoperative complications in primary shoulder arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Surgical duration is an independent predictor of short-term adverse outcomes after a variety of orthopedic procedures, both arthroscopic and open. However, this association in shoulder arthroplasty remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between surgical duration and postoperative complications, as well as increased use of health care resources, after shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Primary shoulder arthroplasty procedures performed from 2005 to 2016 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Surgical duration was divided into 3 cohorts: (1) surgical procedures lasting less than 90 minutes, (2) those lasting between 90 and 120 minutes, and (3) those lasting more than 120 minutes. Baseline patient characteristics and outcome variables were compared using bivariate analysis. Outcome variables were compared using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 14,106 patients were identified. Longer surgical duration was significantly associated with younger age, male patients, higher body mass index, and use of general anesthesia, (P < .001 for each), as well as smoking history (P < .39). Relative to operative times shorter than 90 minutes, surgical procedures lasting more than 120 minutes had higher rates of any complication (P = .002), return to the operating room (P = .008), urinary tract infection (P = .02), non-home discharge (P < .001), blood transfusion (P < .001), and unplanned 30-day hospital readmission (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Increasing surgical duration was associated with a variety of postoperative medical complications and increased use of health care resources including discharge to acute care facilities, blood transfusions, and hospital readmission. These data suggest that surgical duration should be considered for postoperative risk stratification, as well as patient counseling, and may be a surgeon-modifiable risk factor independent of patient risk factors.

The impact of age on 30-day complications following shoulder instability surgery.

HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term outcomes including medical complications, overnight admission, and 30-day readmission with regard to patient age at the time of shoulder instability surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for glenohumeral instability were collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between the years of 2005 and 2016. These patients were separated into cohorts of younger than 25 years, 25-34 years, and older than 34 years. Medical complications, hospital admission, and 30-day readmission were compared using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 5449 patients included, there were 2035 (37.0%) patients younger than 25 years, 1815 (33.0%) between 25 and 34 years, and 1649 (30.0%) 35 and older. Overall, 81.7% of patients underwent an arthroscopic Bankart repair, 12.6% of patients underwent an open Bankart repair, and 5.7% of patients underwent a Latarjet-Bristow procedure. The risk of 30-day readmission increased with age, ranging from 0.24% for <25 years old to 0.92% for 35 years and older (P = .040). Operative duration greater than 60 minutes (odds ratio [OR] 1.76; P = .001), duration greater than 90 minutes (OR 3.58; P < .001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists class III and IV (OR 1.80; P = .001) were associated with increased risk of overnight hospital stay. Compared with arthroscopic Bankart repair, the Latarjet-Bristow procedure was associated with increased total complications (OR 3.30; P = .021), overnight hospital stay (OR 4.64; P < .001), and 30-day readmission (OR 3.39; P = .013). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that even in the relatively young and healthy shoulder instability patient cohort, patients older than 25 years are almost 4 times more likely to experience a complication. Additionally, Latarjet-Bristow procedures are 3-4 times more likely to experience a complication or readmission than other shoulder instability procedures.

The Effect of Preoperative Anemia on Complications After Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Current literature suggests that preoperative hematocrit levels may play an important role in determining risk for complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of preoperative anemia status on 30-day complications after THA. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry from 2006 to 2016, we identified all patients who underwent primary THA. Patients were placed into 3 cohorts based on preoperative hematocrit levels (normal > 36% [N = 166,538], mild anemia 27%-36% [N = 13,214], and severe anemia <27% [N = 541]). Differences in 30-day postoperative medical complications and readmission rates were compared using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified mild anemia compared with normal hematocrit as a significant risk factor for total complications (OR: 1.46, P < .001), mortality (OR: 2.06, P < .001), renal complications (OR: 2.59, P < .001), respiratory complications (OR: 1.89, P < .001), sepsis (OR: 2.01, P < .001), wound infection (OR: 1.36, P < .001), and urinary tract infection (OR: 1.44, P < .001). Severe anemia was also risk factor, with a higher odds ratio, for total complications (OR: 1.99, P < .001). Both mild and severe anemia were significant risk factors for increased rates of perioperative blood transfusion (mild: OR, 4.04, severe: OR, 5.58), nonhome discharge (OR: 1.74, OR: 1.64), and unplanned hospital readmissions (OR: 1.42, OR: 1.66). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anemia is a significant risk for perioperative complications after primary THA. Even mild anemia can lead to significantly increased risks of mortality, medical complications, and unplanned hospital readmissions in THA. This study further supports the need for screening and preoperative intervention for patients in this at-risk group.

Occurrence, risk factors, and outcomes of bone cement implantation syndrome after hemi and total hip arthroplasty in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing cement fixation for hip arthroplasty are at increased risk of developing bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS). We sought to determine: what is the occurrence of BCIS in patients with cancer after hip arthroplasty? What are the risk factors in patients with cancer for the development of this syndrome? What is the outcome for patients with cancer having BCIS? METHODS: We identified 374 patients with cancer who underwent cemented hip arthroplasty between 2010 and 2014. Patient characteristics, operative variables, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: BCIS occurred in 279 (75%) patients. A total of 353 (94%) patients had bone metastases and 179 (48%) patients had lung metastases at the time of surgery. Age greater than 60 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.09, P = .02) and the presence of lung metastases (HR 1.77, P = .019) were associated with increased risk of BCIS. Increased perioperative use of vasopressors (HR 1.72, P = .023) and increased hospital stay beyond 10 days (HR 2.67, P = .003) was associated with BCIS. CONCLUSIONS: BCIS is a frequent clinical event in patients with cancer undergoing femoral cemented arthroplasty with increased risk for patients over age 60 and those with compromised lung function due to lung metastases and lung cancer. Patients who develop BCIS are more likely to require longer postoperative hospitalization. Careful preoperative assessment and intraoperative communication are crucial steps to reduce the consequences of BCIS.

Increasing Numbers of Shoulder Corticosteroid Injections Within a Year Preoperatively May Be Associated With a Higher Rate of Subsequent Revision Rotator Cuff Surgery.

PURPOSE: To identify any dose-dependent association between the use of subacromial corticosteroid injections within a year before rotator cuff repair (RCR) and subsequent need for revision rotator cuff surgery. METHODS: Two large administrative databases were queried for patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR. A minimum of 1 year of preoperative database exposure and 2 years of postoperative database follow-up were required for inclusion. Patients were stratified into groups that received 0 (control), 1, 2, or 3 or more ipsilateral corticosteroid shoulder injections within the year prior to RCR. The outcome of interest was ipsilateral revision arthroscopic or open RCR or arthroscopic debridement for a diagnosis of rotator cuff tear within 2 years of the index surgery. Revision rates were compared between groups using a multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for demographic and comorbidity confounders. RESULTS: A total of 110,567 patients from the Medicare database and 12,892 patients from the private insurance database were included. There was no association between a single injection within the year prior to RCR and revision surgery in either cohort. The use of 2 or more injections was associated with a significant increase in the risk of requiring revision surgery in both the Medicare (odds ratio [OR], 2.76-3.26; P < .0001) and private insurance (OR, 2.53-2.87; P < .0001) populations. CONCLUSIONS: A single shoulder injection within a year prior to arthroscopic RCR was not associated with any increased risk of revision surgery; however, the administration of 2 or more injections was associated with a substantially increased risk of subsequent revision rotator cuff surgery (OR, 2.53-3.26). Although causality cannot be established on the basis of this database review, caution is recommended when considering more than 1 shoulder corticosteroid injection in patients with potentially repairable rotator cuff tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Decreasing Length of Hospital Stay and Postoperative Complications After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Decade Analysis From 2006 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: In an attempt to decrease costs without increasing complication burden, the development of rapid recovery protocols has led to an increased push for decreased length of hospital stay (LOS) following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in LOS and complications following THA over a 10-year period. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry from 2006 to 2016, we identified all patients who underwent primary THA. Patients were placed into 3 cohorts based on the year of surgery (2006-2009 [N = 3873], 2010-2013 [N = 45,992], 2014-2016 [N = 86,099]). Differences in LOS, operative time, readmission rates, and 30-day postoperative medical complications were compared using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analysis identified a significant decrease in LOS in days for the 2010-2013 cohort (3.2 ± 4.8, P < .001) and 2014-2016 cohort (2.7 ± 2.5, P < .001) compared to the 2006-2009 cohort (3.8 ± 2.5). Despite decreasing LOS, there were significantly lower complications in the later cohorts, with significantly lower rates of all complications (5.27% [2006-2009], 3.77% [2009-2013], 3.14% [2013-2016]), sepsis (0.70%, 0.31%, 0.16%), and urinary tract infection (1.94%, 1.23%, 0.83%) using both bivariate and multivariate analyses (P < .001). In addition, there was no significant difference in unplanned 30-day readmissions (3.66% [2010-2013] vs 3.5% [2014-2016], P = .142). CONCLUSION: Over the last decade, there has been a decrease in LOS and an improved short-term complication profile for THA. With continually increasing rates of utilization of THA along broader patient demographics, these changes are important to help mitigate the costs of higher volume.

Trends in Length of Stay and 30-Day Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Analysis From 2006 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Hospital length of stay (LOS) is a quality metric and target of recent efforts in the last decade to decrease healthcare costs and postoperative nosocomial complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, decreasing LOS has raised concerns of possible increased complication and readmission rates. We present a decade-long analysis in trends of LOS and 30-day complication and unplanned readmissions following TKA. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was utilized to identify patients undergoing elective primary TKA between 2006 and 2016. Three cohorts of patients were created based on year of surgery (2006-2009 [N = 7111], 2010-2013 [N = 71,943], and 2014-2016 [N = 142,710]). Patient demographics, perioperative variables, LOS, 30-day postoperative complications, and readmission rates were analyzed between the 3 cohorts using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: LOS decreased significantly over time when the 2006-2009 cohort (3.7 days) was compared to the 2010-2013 cohort (3.3 days, P < .001) and 2014-2016 cohort (3.0 days, P < .001). Similarly, there was a decrease in the rate of total 30-day complications in the 2006-2009 cohort (5.37%) compared to 2010-2013 (3.86%) and 2014-2016 (3.13%, P < .001), with significantly lower rates of deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, and urinary tract infection in the latter cohorts. Decreasing rates of 30-day readmission were also observed in the 2010-2013 cohort (3.63%) compared to 2013-2016 cohort (3.23%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: In the last decade, there has been a trend toward decreasing LOS after TKA. Despite concerns about early discharge, data from a national registry demonstrated a simultaneous decrease in total 30-day complication and readmission rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective cohort study.

Early Morbidity but Not Mortality Increases With Surgery Delayed Greater Than 24 Hours in Patients With a Periprosthetic Fracture of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: Studies have identified a possible morbidity and mortality benefit with expedited time to surgery after a native hip fracture. This association after hip periprosthetic fractures (PPF) has been less clearly delineated. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of time to surgery on rates of 30-day complications. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was used to identify all patients who underwent surgical intervention for hip PPF between 2005 and 2016. Patients were stratified into 2 cohorts based on time from hospital admission to surgery, either ≤24 hours (expedited) or >24 hours (non-expedited). Thirty-day outcome variables were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: We identified 857 patients undergoing surgical intervention for hip PPF, of whom 402 (46.9%) underwent expedited surgery and 455 (53.1%) underwent non-expedited surgery. Patients with non-expedited surgery had an average time to surgery of 2.4 days (range, 1-14 days). Multivariate analysis adjusting for differences in baseline patient characteristics revealed that patients with a non-expedited procedure had higher rates of overall complications (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72; P = .014), respiratory complications (OR = 4.15; P = .0029), urinary tract infections (OR = 2.77; P = .020), nonhome discharge (OR = 2.22; P < .001), and blood transfusions (OR = 1.86; P < .001). There was no statistical difference in mortality (P = .093). Patients with non-expedited surgery also had longer total and postoperative (+2.7 days; P < .001) length of stay. CONCLUSION: This study did not identify any statistical difference in mortality but found an association with increased postoperative complications and non-expedited surgery for PPF. Additional prospective studies may be warranted to identify the causative factors behind this association.

Increased Shoulder Arthroscopy Time Is Associated With Overnight Hospital Stay and Surgical Site Infection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the rates of short-term postoperative complications, readmissions, and overnight hospital stays as a function of shoulder arthroscopy procedure time. A secondary aim of this current study was to identify baseline patient risk factors for adverse outcomes. METHODS: This study used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry from 2012 to 2015. Shoulder arthroscopy cases were categorized based on operative time, either <45 minutes, between 45 and 90 minutes, or >90 minutes. The rates of 30-day postoperative complications, readmissions, and overnight hospital stays were compared with bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In total, 33,095 shoulder arthroscopy procedures were identified. Of these, 7,027 (21.2%) were <45 minutes, 16,610 (50.2%) were between 45 and 90 minutes, and 9,458 (28.6%) were >90 minutes. Multivariate analysis identified increased the risk of superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) for procedures lasting between 45 and 90 minutes (odds ratio [OR] = 3.63; P = .036) and for procedures >90 minutes (OR = 4.40; P = .019), compared with procedures <45 minutes. Furthermore, there was an increased risk of overnight hospital stay for patients who had a shoulder arthroscopy lasting between 45 and 90 minutes (OR = 1.33) and >90 minutes (OR = 2.14), compared with procedures <45 minutes. A body mass index >30 kg/m2 was an independent predictor of both overnight hospital stay and superficial SSI (P = .020). Age >60, female gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥3, and a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were additional predictors of overnight hospital stay (P < .001 for all comparisons, unless otherwise noted). CONCLUSIONS: Increased shoulder arthroscopy procedure time is associated with adverse short-term outcomes, particularly superficial SSI and overnight hospital stay. This information may be useful for patient counseling and postoperative risk stratification, as operative time is an easily measured surrogate for surgical complexity or difficulty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study, Level III.