Analysis of two high-risk complications following artificial joint replacement / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]Two high-risk complications following artificial joint replacement were investigated in an attempt to improve medical quality and ensure medical safety.[Method]By searching relative reference database,the author investigated the incidence of two high risk complications following artificial hip or knee joint replacement in China during the past 3 years.Preventive measures were discussed.[Result]A total of 840 cases of artificial hip or knee joint replacement were reported in 6 key orthopedic periodicals from 2005 to 2007.One hundred cases of deep vein thrombosis(DVT) were found with an incidence of 11.9%.in all 6 periodicals,the lowest incidence was 8.06% and the highest one was 20%.Six cases of pulmonary embolism(PE) were reported by 3 periodicals,of which 3 had a successful emergency rescue and 3 died.In the same period,10 orthopedic periodicals reported 171 cases(172 joints) of prosthesis infection after artificial hip or knee joint replacement.[Conclusion]With rapid development of urban/rural construction and transportation,and the increase of elderly people,severe osteoarticular injury cases have increased relatively.Artificial joint replacement has been wider performed in the clinical practice.Although the success rate has been greatly improved benefited from the upgrades of prosthesis technique and surgical instrument,the complications such as PVT,PE and infection are still risk factors.Relevant preventive measures should be taken to keep safety and advance of artificial replacement technique.