Safety and efficacy of outpatient hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of outpatient joint arthroplasty (OJA) pathways compared to inpatient pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies. Studies comparing OJA with inpatient pathways-following hip and/or (partial) knee arthroplasty-were included. Included studies were assigned-based on OJA definition-to one of the following two groups: (1) outpatient surgery (OS); outpatient defined as discharge on the same day as surgery; and (2) semi-outpatient surgery (SOS); outpatient defined as discharge within 24 h after surgery with or without an overnight stay. Methodological quality was assessed. Outcomes included (serious) adverse events ((S)AEs), readmissions, successful same-day discharge rates, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and costs. Meta-analyses and subgroup analyses by type of arthroplasty were performed when deemed appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 41 studies (OS = 26, SOS = 15) met the inclusion criteria. One RCT and 40 observational studies were included, with an overall risk-of-bias of moderate to high. Forty studies were included in the meta-analysis. Outpatients (both OS and SOS) were younger and had a lower BMI and ASA class compared to inpatients. Overall, no significant differences between outpatients and inpatients were found for overall complications and readmission rates, and improvement in PROMs. By type of arthroplasty, only THAs in OS pathways were associated with fewer AEs [OR = 0.55 (0.41-0.74)] compared to inpatient pathways. 92% of OS patients were discharged on the day of surgery. OJA resulted in an average cost reduction of $6.797,02. CONCLUSION: OJA pathways are as safe and effective as inpatient pathways in selected populations, with a potential reduction of costs. Considerable risk of bias in the majority of studies emphasizes the need for further research.

A short-term radiological and clinical comparison between the bi-cruciate and cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty A retrospective case controlled study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide a short term comparison in radiological and clinical outcome between Bi-Cruciate Retaining (BCR)- and Cruciate Retaining (CR) Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: The cohort consists of 122 patients undergoing a TKA with PSI, equally distributed over the BCR- and CR-TKA group. Perioperative conditions were observed and radiological images were analysed pre-, 6-weeks, and 1-year postoperative to quantify alignment differences between BCR- and CR-TKA. Preoperatively predicted templates were compared with the implanted size to determine predictive value. In addition mean range of motion and revision rates were determined in both groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in amount of outliers in component alignment between BCR- and CR-TKA. Outliers of the Hip-Knee-Ankle-Axis (HKA-axis) occurred significantly more frequent (P = 0.009) in the BCR-group (37.7%) compared to CR-TKA (18.0%). No clinically relevant differences regarding the predictive sizing of implant components was obtained. No significant differences were observed in revision rates (P = 1.000) and ROM (p = 0.425) between the BCR-groep and CR-group at 2-years FU. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that although the HKA-axis was not fully restored, bi-cruciate retaining surgical technique for BCR-TKA is safe and effective with comparable radiological and clinical outcome as CR TKA. Randomized controlled trials with longer follow up on the HKA-axis alignment and clinical parameters are needed to confirm the presented results and should focus on possible cut off values concerning leg axis in order to define in what patients a BCR-TKA can safely be used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: Retrospective Case Controlled Study.

Low incidence of postoperative urinary retention with the use of a nurse-led bladder scan protocol after hip and knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR), defined as the inability to empty the bladder voluntary after surgery, is a commonly reported complication. This study reports the incidence and possible risk factors for POUR after elective fast-track hip or knee arthroplasty when using a nurse-led bladder scan protocol. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included data from 803 patients who underwent unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients' digital clinical records were reviewed for eligibility. Patients with incomplete data registration, preoperative bladder volume >250 ml, preexisting bladder catheterization, and/or patients following the outpatient pathway were excluded. Bladder volumes were assessed at different moments pre- and postoperatively. The outcome was the incidence of POUR, defined as the inability to void spontaneously with a bladder volume >600 ml, treated with indwelling catheterization. Further analysis between POUR and non-POUR patients was performed to detect possible risk factors for POUR. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty-eight patients operated on primary unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty were analyzed. The incidence of POUR was 12.9% (n = 82, 95% CI 9.4-15.5). Gender, age, BMI, ASA classification, preoperative bladder volume, type of anesthesia, type of arthroplasty, and perioperative fluid administration were not significant different between POUR and non-POUR patients. Patients with a bladder volume of >200 ml at the recovery room were at higher risk (OR 5.049, 95% CI 2.815-9.054) for POUR. CONCLUSIONS: When using a nurse-led bladder scan protocol in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty, the incidence of POUR was 12.9%, with a bladder volume of >200 ml at the recovery room as a risk factor for POUR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: A retrospective cohort study, Level III.

Physical activity after outpatient surgery and enhanced recovery for total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to 'objectively' measure improvement of physical activity with the use of an activity monitor between patients who followed an enhanced recovery- or outpatient surgery pathway after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It was hypothesized that both pathways will have comparable physical activity after TKA at 6-week follow-up. METHODS: This prospective observational comparative case study was designed to investigate activity parameters (e.g. physical activity, number of steps, sit-stand transfers) of two different pathways after 6 weeks with the use of a non-invasive triaxial accelerometer activity monitor. This study included 20 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years (SD 6.1) undergoing TKA who were allocated to follow one of the two pathways: enhanced recovery (n = 10) or outpatient surgery (n = 10). Patients were monitored for 4 days pre-, 4 days during and 4 days after 5 weeks postoperatively. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and range of knee motion were obtained pre- and 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The activity parameters recovered steeply during the first 4 postoperative days and continued to improve within both pathways (n.s.). Preoperative and during the first 4 days and 5 weeks postoperative, activity parameters were comparable (n.s.) between both pathways but did not reach preoperative levels of physical activity and range of motion (n.s.). PROMs improved within each pathway, and no difference between both pathways was observed (n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the early physical activity parameters of patients after TKA, following the outpatient surgery pathway, were similar to patients who followed the standard enhanced recovery pathway. The activity monitor is an added value for a more detailed and objective analysis of the physical performance in patients after TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.