Patients Who Undergo Early Aseptic Revision TKA Within 90 Days of Surgery Have a High Risk of Re-revision and Infection at 2 Years: A Large-database Study

Re-revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: Causes, Risk Factors and Results

The rate of re-revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) ranges between 4% and 10%, depending on the cause of the procedure. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and periprosthetic fracture are the main causes of re-revision TKA. The likelihood of implant survival of re-revision TKA diminishes with each subsequent revision, with PJI being the main cause of multiple revisions. Acute early aseptic revision TKA (within 90 days of surgery) involves a high risk of re-revision at 2 years and a high risk of subsequent PJI. The use of antibiotic-loaded cement is associated with lower risk of re-revision. Patients younger than 50 years experiencing aseptic revision TKA have a 1 in 3 risk of re-revision. Patients revised for instability or having prior TKA revisions have the highest risk of re-revision at 10 years. Patients younger than 55 years experiencing revision TKA have a 5-year revision-free survival of 80%.

A mapping review on preoperative prognostic factors and outcome measures of revision total knee arthroplasty

To map literature on prognostic factors related to outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), to identify extensively studied factors and to guide future research into what domains need further exploration. We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. The search string included multiple synonyms of the following keywords: "revision TKA", "outcome" and "prognostic factor". We searched for studies assessing the association between at least one prognostic factor and at least one outcome measure after rTKA surgery. Data on sample size, study design, prognostic factors, outcomes, and the direction of the association was extracted and included in an evidence map. After screening of 5,660 articles, we included 166 studies reporting prognostic factors for outcomes after rTKA, with a median sample size of 319 patients (30 to 303,867). Overall, 50% of the studies reported prospectively collected data, and 61% of the studies were performed in a single centre. In some studies, multiple associations were reported; 180 different prognostic factors were reported in these studies. The three most frequently studied prognostic factors were reason for revision (213 times), sex (125 times), and BMI (117 times). Studies focusing on functional scores and patient-reported outcome measures as prognostic factor for the outcome after surgery were limited (n = 42). The studies reported 154 different outcomes. The most commonly reported outcomes after rTKA were: re-revision (155 times), readmission (88 times), and reinfection (85 times). Only five studies included costs as outcome. Outcomes and prognostic factors that are routinely registered as part of clinical practice (e.g. BMI, sex, complications) or in (inter)national registries are studied frequently. Studies on prognostic factors, such as functional and sociodemographic status, and outcomes as healthcare costs, cognitive and mental function, and psychosocial impact are scarce, while they have been shown to be important for patients with osteoarthritis.

Wound complications following revision total knee arthroplasty: Prevalence and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Wound complications following revision TKA can be catastrophic and can compromise joint and even limb. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of superficial wound complications requiring return to the OR in revision TKA, rates of subsequent deep infection, factors that increase the risk of superficial wound complications, and the outcomes of revision TKA following development of superficial wound complications.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 585 consecutive TKA revisions with at least two years follow-up, including 399 aseptic revisions and 186 reimplantations. Superficial wound complications without deep infection requiring return to the OR within 120 days were compared to controls.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients following revision TKA (2.4%) required return to the OR for a wound complication, including 7 of 399 (1.8%) patients who underwent aseptic revision TKA and 7 of 186 (3.8%) patients undergoing reimplantation TKA (p = 0.139). Aseptic revisions with wound complications were more likely to develop subsequent deep infection (HR 10.04, CI 2.24-45.03, p = 0.003), but this did not hold true for reimplantations (HR 1.17, CI 0.28-4.91, p = 0.829). Risk factors for wound complication included atrial fibrillation when all patients were combined (RR 3.98, CI 1.15-13.72, p = 0.029), connective tissue disease in the aseptic revision group (RR 7.1, CI 1.1-44.7, p = 0.037), and a history of depression in the re-implantation group (RR 5.8, CI 1.1-31.5, p = 0.042).

Factors Associated With Nonunion and Infection Following Ankle Arthrodesis Using a Large Claims Database: Who Has Elevated Risk?

Background:

Complications such as nonunion and infection following ankle arthrodesis can lead to increased patient morbidity and financial burden from repeat operations. Improved knowledge of risk factors can improve patient selection and inform post–ankle arthrodesis surveillance protocols.

Methods:

This is a large retrospective, database study with structured query of a national insurance claims database (PearlDiver Technologies) for patients treated with ankle arthrodesis from 2015 to 2019 as identified by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), codes. Patients with any operation 1 year prior to or following ankle arthrodesis were excluded from analysis to prevent attributing complications to another operation. Likelihoods of nonunion and infection within 1 year and 3 years following ankle arthrodesis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimations. Patient characteristics associated with the identified complications following ankle arthrodesis were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results:

Our query yielded 2463 patients in the 5-year period who underwent ankle arthrodesis. Nonunion occurred in 11% (95% CI 10-12) of patients within 1 year of ankle arthrodesis and 16% (95% CI 14-17) of patients within 3 years. Infection occurred in 3.9% (95% CI 3.1-4.7) of patients within 1 year of ankle arthrodesis and in 6.2% (95% CI 5.1-7.2) of patients within 3 years. Obese patients increased odds of nonunion on multivariable analysis (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.0; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, diabetes (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.6; P = .010) and each 1-unit increase in Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2; P < .001) contributed to increased odds of infection after ankle arthrodesis.

Conclusion:

Nonunion and infection following ankle arthrodesis have a 3-year probability of 16% and 6%, respectively. More than one-quarter of patients with nonunion following ankle arthrodesis experience a delay in diagnosis beyond 1 year. The risk of post–ankle arthrodesis nonunion is highest in patients with obesity; the risk of post–ankle arthrodesis infection is highest in patients with diabetes or an elevated Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, prognostic study.