Complications Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Nationwide Database Study Comparing Elective vs Hip Fracture Cases

Bone Mineral Density is Associated With Adverse Events but not Patient-Reported Outcomes in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Although osteoporosis is common in patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), its impact on postoperative outcomes has been inadequately studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of bone mineral density (BMD) on adverse events and patient-reported outcomes in THA and TKA.

METHODS

A series of 1,306 THA and 1,046 TKA patients who had received osteodensitometry were analyzed retrospectively. Rates of readmission, complication, transfusion, and patient-reported outcome were correlated with BMD. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between osteoporosis and adverse events.

RESULTS

Osteoporosis patients showed higher rates of 90-day readmission (THA: 8.5% versus 4.0%, P = .02; TKA: 8.9% versus 4.4%, P = .04) and transfusion (THA: 6.8% versus 1.2%, P < .001; TKA: 5.4% versus 1.5%, P = .005). After THA, rates of complications requiring intensive care management (5.1% versus 0.7%, P < .001) and rates of medical complications (3.5% versus 0.6%, P = .001) were increased. After TKA, rates of surgical complications (2.8% versus 0.8%, P = .04) were increased. Postoperatively, osteoporosis patients improved to comparable patient-reported outcomes as patients who had normal BMD. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed osteoporosis as an independent risk factor for readmissions, complications, and transfusions.

CONCLUSION

Osteoporosis is a risk factor for adverse events after THA and TKA. Affected patients show similar improvement of patient-reported outcome compared to patients who have normal BMD. As osteoporosis is modifiable, a systematic screening of patients scheduled for THA or TKA should be discussed.

Frequency of Urinary Tract Infection Among Patients Undergoing Implant Fixation for Acute Trauma

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI), identify the isolated bacteria, and assess antibiotic sensitivity in patients undergoing orthopedic implant fixation for hip fractures.

METHODOLOGY

After ethical approval from the institutional review board, this retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Orthopedic Surgery Department of Dow University Hospital Karachi from June 2022 to June 2023. Through non-probability consecutive sampling, 186 patients above 16 years of age, of either gender, presenting with hip fractures such as intracapsular or extracapsular fractures, who underwent surgical fixation, were included in the study. A urine sample for urinalysis of these patients was sent on admission. Patients who presented with open fractures or those treated with conservative management were excluded from the study. The fracture diagnosis was confirmed on radiographs. All other relevant baseline investigations were also performed before surgery, per protocol, and urine-detailed and cultured reports were followed. In addition, each patient was asked about common symptoms of UTI before surgery and then diagnosed with UTI on positive urine culture and sensitivity (CS).

RESULTS

Out of 186 hip fracture patients, 98 (52.7%) were males and 88 (47.3%) were females, with a mean age of 61.03 ± 16.43 (16-96) years. Pre-operative UTI symptoms were reported by 79 patients, including dysuria (16; 20.3%), polyuria (19; 24.0%), and burning (44; 55.7%). UTI was diagnosed on culture and sensitivity report in 65 (34.9%) patients with Escherichia coli as commonly diagnosed bacteria 35 (53.8%), followed by Enterococcus 8 (12.4%), Klebsiella 7 (10.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3 (4.7%), and Acinetobacter 2 (3.1%) patients. E. coli was sensitive to amikacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, colistin, cotrimoxazole, fosfomycin, gentamycin, levofloxacin, meropenem, nitrofurantoin, polymyxin B, and piperacillin-tazobactam.

CONCLUSION

Urinary tract infection is common in patients undergoing orthopedic implant fixation for hip fractures, which can lead to potentially serious outcomes. Overall, hygiene, prompt treatment, and standard protocol should be utilized to treat those infected and minimize the spread.

Direct Anterior Versus Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed for Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures

OBJECTIVES

To compare perioperative, 90-day, and 1-year postoperative complications and outcomes between the direct anterior approach (DAA) and the posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty in geriatric patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Multicenter Health care Consortium.

PATIENTS

Seven-hundred and nine patients 60 years or older with acute displaced FNFs between 2009 and 2021.

INTERVENTION

Total hip arthroplasty using either DAA or posterior approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Rates of postoperative complications including dislocations, reoperations, and mortality at 90 days and 1 year postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included ambulation capacity at discharge, ambulation distance with inpatient physical therapy, discharge disposition, and narcotic prescription quantities (morphine milligram equivalents).

RESULTS

Through a multivariable regression analysis, DAA was associated with significantly shorter operative time ( B = -6.89 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI] -12.84 to -0.93; P = 0.024), lower likelihood of blood transfusion during the index hospital stay (adjusted odds ratios = 0.54; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.96; P = 0.045), and decreased average narcotic prescription amounts at 90 days (B = -230.45 morphine milligram equivalents; 95% CI -440.24 to -78.66; P = 0.035) postoperatively. There were no significant differences in medical complications, dislocations, reoperations, and mortality at 90 days and 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

When comparing the DAA versus posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty performed for displaced FNF, DAA was associated with shorter operative time, lower likelihood of blood transfusion, and lower 90-day postoperative narcotic prescription amounts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pain Management and Functional Recovery after Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

The immediate postoperative period after total hip arthroplasty can be associated with significant pain. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of pericapsular nerve block on pain management and functional recovery after total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 489 adult patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty, ASA 1-2, operated under spinal analgesia. Participants were assigned to receive either a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or a sham block.

RESULTS

The primary outcome measure was the postoperative NRS score in motion. The secondary outcomes were cumulative opioid consumption, the time to the first opioid, and functional recovery. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. Intraoperative pain scores were significantly lower in patients who received the PENG block than in the control group (p < 0.0001). Also, the time to the first opioid was considerably longer in the PENG group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 24% of PENG patients did not require opioids (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The pericapsular nerve group showed significantly decreased opioid consumption and improved functional recovery. Pericapsular nerve group block improved pain management and postoperative functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty.

Effect of Sickle Cell Trait on Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Matched Cohort

BACKGROUND

It is unclear if sickle cell trait (SCT) carrier status conveys an increased risk for poor outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study is to compare short-term clinical outcomes of THA for patients with SCT vs matched controls.

METHODS

Patient records were queried from the PearlDiver database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients with SCT who underwent THA were matched 1:1 with controls across age, gender, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, obesity, and US region. Thirty-day and 90-day rates of systemic complications and 1-year and 2-year rates of joint complications were compared with logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 1646 patients were assigned to each cohort. In the 30-day and 90-day postoperative periods, SCT carriers had a higher likelihood of cerebrovascular accident, anemia, acute renal failure, pneumonia, sepsis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure (all P < .05). SCT carriers exhibited significantly higher risk of periprosthetic joint infection at both 1 (3.5% vs 2.1%; odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.99) and 2 years (3.7% vs 2.6%; OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.07-2.49) postoperatively. Prosthetic loosening was also significantly more likely for SCT carriers within 1 year (1.3% vs 0.3%; OR 4.49, 95% CI 1.75-13.86).

CONCLUSION

Patients with SCT exhibited significantly higher risk for systemic complications, periprosthetic joint infection, and prosthetic loosening after THA. Increased perioperative efforts should be made to prevent hypoxia, acidosis, and dehydration, as these states increase red blood cell sickling, which may reduce complication rates and improve outcomes in patients with SCT.

Conversion of failed proximal femoral nail antirotation to uncemented or cemented femoral component fixation: a multicentre retrospective study with a median 10-year follow-up

Background

Conversion of a failed proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) to a total hip arthroplasty (THA) is becoming increasingly universal. However, consensus has not been reached regarding which device (uncemented or hybrid THA) to use. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcomes of the conversion of failed PFNAs to uncemented versus hybrid THAs in the elderly population.

Methods

Consecutive elderly patients with prior failed PFNAs treated with uncemented or hybrid THA from January 2008 to December 2019 were retrospectively identified from two medical centres. The primary outcome was implant survival after THA revision; secondary outcomes were the functional outcomes assessed using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the incidence of key THA-related complications.

Results

A total of 236 patients (uncemented THA, n = 116; hybrid THA, n = 120) were eligible for this study. Kaplan–Meier survival curves demonstrated that the 10-year cumulative survival rates were 0.801 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.783–0.852) in the uncemented THA group versus 0.925 (95% CI, 0.861–0.964) in the hybrid THA group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.36 [95% CI 0.24–0.56], p = 0.004). From the 72nd month after the revision to the last follow-up, functional outcomes differed considerably between cohorts (each p < 0.05), and the rate of key THA-related complications was comparable between cohorts (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

For elderly patients with prior failed PFNAs who experienced uncemented or hybrid THA, hybrid THA revision may provide a clinically significant improvement over uncemented THA revision with regard to implant survival, functional outcomes, and THA-related complications compared to uncemented THA revision.

Increased Complications and Cost Associated With Hip Arthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture: Evaluation of 576,119 Medicare Patients Treated With Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The benefit of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in the geriatric population is well established. We compare perioperative complications and cost of THA for treatment of OA to hemiarthroplasty (HA) and THA for treatment of FNF.

METHODS

Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were used to identify all patients 65 years and older undergoing primary hip arthroplasty between 2013 and 2017. Patients were divided into 3 cohorts: THA for OA (n = 326,313), HA for FNF (n = 223,811), and THA for FNF (n = 25,995). Generalized regressions were used to compare group mortality, 90-day readmission, thromboembolic events, and 90-day episode costs, controlling for age, gender, race, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Compared to patients treated for OA, FNF patients were older and had significantly more comorbidities (all P < .001). Even among the youngest age group (65-69 years) without comorbidities, FNF was associated with a greater risk of mortality at 90 days (THA-FNF odds ratio [OR] 9.3, HA-FNF OR 27.0, P < .001), 1 year (THA-FNF OR 7.8, HA-FNF OR 19.0, P < .001) and 5 years (THA-FNF hazard ratio 4.5, HA-FNF hazard ratio 10.0, P < .001). The average 90-day direct cost was $12,479 and $14,036 greater among THA and HA for FNF respectively compared to THA for OA (all P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Among Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hip arthroplasty patients, those with an FNF had significantly higher rates of mortality, thromboembolic events, readmission, and greater direct cost. Reimbursement models for arthroplasty should account for the distinctly different perioperative complication and resource utilization for FNF patients.

Complication Rates of Hemiarthroplasty Conversion to Total Hip Arthroplasty Versus Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background

One of the most common surgical options for treatment of a femoral neck fracture is hemiarthroplasty (HA). However, progression of arthritis or pain can necessitate conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). While conversion to a THA is a viable option, it does carry multiple risks. The purpose of this study was to identify whether performing conversion from HA to THA carries an increased risk of post-operative joint complications when compared to elective THA.

Methods

An administrative claims database was queried to identify patients who underwent conversion from a HA to a THA. Incidences of prosthetic dislocation, prosthetic joint infection (PJI), periprosthetic fracture, aseptic loosening, and revision were collected and compared to elective primary THA with multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Patients undergoing conversion THA had significantly higher risks of all joint complications examined at both 1 and 2 years after surgery. These included prosthetic dislocation (1-year: OR 2.95; 2 years: OR 3.77), PJI (1-year: OR 1.38; 2 years: OR 2.13), periprosthetic fracture (1-year: OR 2.95; 2 years: OR 3.75), aseptic loosening (1-year: OR 6.86; 2 years: OR 7.70), and revision (1-year: OR 3.65; 2 years: OR 6.73).

Conclusion

Performing conversion arthroplasty from HA to THA is associated with an increased risk of multiple joint complications in both the short and mid-term follow-up period. Surgeons should consider these complications when indicating HA for femoral neck fractures and elective conversion arthroplasty.

Total Hip Arthroplasty for Acute Femoral Neck Fractures: Who Should Perform the Operation-Adult Reconstructive or Trauma Surgeons?

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results and complications of a large consecutive series of total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed for acute femoral neck (FN) fracture by adult reconstructive (AR) and trauma (T) surgeons to determine if there is a difference in outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Level 1 trauma center.

PATIENTS

One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients who presented to our institution with displaced FN fractures treated by THA were included in this study.

INTERVENTION

All patients were treated with THA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Implant survival, 90-day complications, 90-day readmission, 1-year complications.

RESULTS

For the group as a whole, the major surgical complication rate (defined as dislocation, deep infection, loosening, fracture) was significantly higher for T surgeons (20%) than for AR surgeons (7%) (P = 0.021). AR surgeons had significantly less radiographic component malpositioning 12% versus 3% (P = 0.024). Mortality and readmission rates were similar between the 2 cohorts at all time points. Implant survivorship was significantly higher at 1 year for AR surgeons (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

THA for acute FN fracture performed by AR surgeons demonstrated higher rates of accurate radiographic component positioning, significantly lower major complication rates at 90 days and 1 year, and greater implant survival at 1 year.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Blood loss and transfusion rate compared among different dosing regimens of tranexamic acid administration in patients undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) administration is a proven safe and effective method for reducing both blood loss and transfusion in total joint arthroplasty. However, data specific to its efficacy in hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA) for femoral neck fracture are scarce. Furthermore, no study has investigated the efficacy of an additional dose of TXA administration. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess blood loss and the transfusion rate compared among different regimens of TXA administration in patients undergoing HHA for femoral neck fracture.

METHODS

Between January 2019 to December 2020, 90 HHA patients were randomized into one of three groups (30 patients/group). Control group patients received intravenous normal saline solution (NSS) 20 mL before skin incision, and NSS 20 mL at 3 hours after surgery. one-dose (1D) group patients received 750 mg of intravenous TXA before skin incision, and NSS 20 mL at 3 hours after surgery. Two-dose (2D) group patients received 750 mg of intravenous TXA before skin incision, and 750 mg of TXA at 3 hours after surgery. The primary outcome was blood transfusion rate. Intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin levels at 24- and 48-hours postoperation, and calculated total blood loss were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 79.7 years, and 76.7% of participants were women. The transfusion rate in the control, 1D and 2D groups was 43.3%, 16.7%, and 3.3%, respectively. Total hemoglobin loss; total red blood cell loss; intraoperative blood loss; hemoglobin level at 24- and 48-hours postoperation; change in hemoglobin level between 0 and 24 hours, and between 0 and 48 hours; blood transfusion rate; and, the number of patients who did not require blood transfusion were all significantly improved in the 2D group compared to baseline. No parameters were significantly improved in the 1D group compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate both the efficacy of TXA administration in HHA, and the superiority of two-dose TXA administration over one-dose TXA administration in HHA for femoral neck fracture.

Causes, risk factors, and costs associated with ninety-day readmissions following primary total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures

INTRODUCTION

Risk factors associated with primary THA readmissions have not yet been thoroughly analyzed when stratified by underlying indication. Given that a majority of THAs are done electively in the context of osteoarthritis (OA), it remains to be explored whether or not THAs performed non-electively in the trauma setting have different readmission patterns. Therefore, the aims of this study were to identify: 1) causes of readmissions; 2) patient-related risk-factors for readmissions; and 3) costs associated with the reasons for readmissions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who sustained a femoral neck fracture and underwent primary THA from 2005 to 2014 were identified. Those subsequently readmitted within 90-days following the procedure comprised the study cohort whereas those not readmitted served as the comparison cohort. Primary outcomes included identifying causes of readmissions, identifying patient-related risk-factors associated with readmissions and determining healthcare expenditures associated with the different readmission etiologies. A regression analysis was used to calculate the odds (OR) for readmissions. A p-value less than 0.01 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

The regression model demonstrated the greatest patient-related risk factors included: electrolyte and fluid disorders (OR: 1.80, p < 0.0001), morbid obesity (OR: 1.60, p < 0.0001), pathologic weight loss (OR: 1.58, p < 0.0001), congestive heart failure (OR: 1.41, p < 0.0001), were the leading risk factors for readmissions. Pulmonary-related causes ($42,357.71) of readmission were the leading driver of costs of care.

CONCLUSION

Orthopaedic surgeons should identify and optimize pre-operative management of patient-related risk factors that increase readmissions following primary THA for femoral neck fractures. Additionally, pulmonary-related causes of readmission lead to the highest costs of care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

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.

The Impact of Femoral Nerve Anesthesia on Short-Term Clinical Outcomes and Opioid Claims After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

The impact of femoral nerve blocks (FNBs) during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on clinical outcomes and pain management remains unclear. The present research investigates the impact that continuous and single-shot FNBs during TKA have on postoperative opioid claims and short-term clinical outcomes.

Methods

An administrative claims database was queried to identify patients who underwent primary TKA with a continuous FNB, single-shot FNB, or no FNB. More than 300,000 patients were analyzed from the database. Rates of opioid claims were compared via achi-square analysis. Incidence of postoperative complications was compared with multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Patients receiving a FNB had a significantly higher risk of falls both at 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 1.30) and 1 year postoperatively (OR, 1.25), as well as readmissions within 90 days (OR, 1.18) compared with patients without FNBs. The FNB cohort exhibited a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (OR, 1.57), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.79), and cerebrovascular accident (OR, 1.20) during the inpatient stay. Relative to single-shot FNBs, continuous FNBs were associated with a higher risk of readmissions within 90 days and systemic complications, although the risk varied by age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score. More patients without FNBs filed opioid claims within 1 year postoperatively, but the average total morphine milligram equivalents prescribed was comparable to patients who received FNBs.

Conclusions

FNBs during TKA place patients at a significantly higher risk of falls, readmissions, and systemic complications in the short term. The risk of readmission and systemic complications was higher for continuous FNBs. More patients without FNBs filed opioid claims postoperatively than patients who received FNBs.

The necessity of routine postoperative laboratory tests after total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture in a semi-urgent clinical setting

Background

Recent studies suggest that routine postoperative laboratory tests are not necessary after primary elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to evaluate the utility of routine postoperative laboratory tests in patients undergoing THA for hip fracture in a semi-urgent clinical setting.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 213 consecutive patients who underwent primary unilateral THA for hip fractures. Patient demographics, clinical information, and laboratory tests were obtained from the electronic medical record system. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with abnormal laboratory test-related interventions.

Results

A total of 207 patients (97.18%) had abnormal postoperative laboratory results, which were mainly due to anemia (190/213, 89.20%) and hypoalbuminemia (154/213, 72.30%). Overall, 54 patients (25.35%) underwent a clinical intervention, 18 patients received blood transfusion, and 42 patients received albumin supplementation. Factors associated with blood transfusion were long operative time and low preoperative hemoglobin levels. Factors associated with albumin supplementation were long operative time and low preoperative albumin levels. Of the 33 patients with abnormal postoperative creatinine levels, 7 patients underwent a clinical intervention. For electrolyte abnormalities, sodium supplementation was not given for hyponatremia, three patients received potassium supplementation, and one patient received calcium supplementation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a high incidence of abnormal postoperative laboratory tests and a significant clinical intervention rate in patients who underwent THA for hip fracture in a semi-urgent clinical setting, which indicates that routine laboratory tests after THA for hip fracture are still necessary for patients with certain risk factors.

Level of Evidence

Level III.

Trial registration Clinical trial registry number ChiCTR1900020690.