ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Spinal anesthesia (SA) for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) may be associated with better patients' outcomes. This study aims to assess the association between preoperative education about the advantage of SA over general anesthesia (GA) for TKA and the likelihood of patient choice of NA. METHODS: Patients undergoing unilateral primary TKA were identified. Type of anesthesia (GA or SA), attendance of the (joints class), patient demographics, ASA status, anticoagulation status, and diagnosis of back problems were recoded. Regression analysis was used to assess the association between the type of anesthesia and attendance of the joints class. RESULTS: 1010 patients were identified to have unilateral primary TKA. 31% of patients attended the joint class. Patients who attended the joints class were more likely to receive SA when compared to those who did not attend (OR=1.7, CI: 1.2-2.5, P=0.004) after adjusting for other variables. CONCLUSION: Preoperative education about advantages of SA may be associated with an increase in patients receiving SA for TKA. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Increase in patients receiving SA for TKA may improve outcomes.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, General/methods , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee , Choice Behavior , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Perioperative Care/education , Aged , Anesthesia, Spinal , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition has been linked to poor outcomes after elective joint arthroplasty, but the risk of unplanned postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission in malnourished arthroplasty patients is unknown. METHODS: 1098 patients were followed as part of a prospective risk stratification program at a tertiary, high-volume arthroplasty center. Chronic malnutrition was defined as preoperative albumin <3.5 g/dL. RESULTS: The overall incidence of malnutrition was 16.9% (primary and revision arthroplasty patients). Average BMI was highest for patients in albumin category 3.0-3.5 (BMI 35.7). Preoperative albumin <3.0 and <3.5 g/dL translated to 15.4% and 3.8% rates of unplanned ICU admission, respectively, indicating nutritional status to be a factor in postoperative ICU admission. CONCLUSION: Patients with poor nutritional status must be counseled on the risks of adverse medical complications.
