Total hip and total knee replacement (THR/TKR) are common and effective surgeries to reduce the pain and disability associated with arthritis but are associated with small but significant risks of ...preventable complications such as surgical site infection (SSI) and venous-thrombo-embolism (VTE). This study aims to determine the degree to which hospital care was compliant with clinical guidelines for the prevention of SSI and VTE after THR/TKR; and whether non-compliant prophylaxis is associated with increased risk of complications.
A prospective multi-centre cohort study was undertaken in consenting adults with osteoarthritis undergoing elective primary TKR/THR at one of 19 high-volume Australian public or private hospitals. Data were collected prior to surgery and for one-year post-surgery. Four adjusted logistic regression analyses were undertaken to explore associations between binary non-compliance and the risk of surgical complications: (1) composite (simultaneous) non-compliance with both (VTE and antibiotic) guidelines and composite complications all-cause mortality, VTE, readmission/reoperation for joint-related reasons (one-year) and non-joint-related reasons (35-days), (2) VTE non-compliance and VTE outcomes, (3) antibiotic non-compliance and any SSI, and (4) antibiotic non-compliance and deep SSI. Data were analysed for 1875 participants. Guideline non-compliance rates were high: 65% (VTE), 87% (antibiotics) and 95% (composite guideline). Composite non-compliance was not associated with composite complication (12.8% vs 8.3%, adjusted odds ratio AOR = 1.41, 95%CI 0.68-3.45, p = 0.40). Non-compliance with VTE guidelines was associated with VTE outcomes (5% vs 2.4%, AOR = 2.83, 95%CI 1.59-5.28,p < 0.001). Non-compliance with antibiotic guidelines was associated with any SSI (14.8% vs 6.1%, AOR = 1.98, 95%CI 1.17-3.62,p = 0.02) but not deep infection (3.7% vs 1.2%,AOR = 2.39, 95%CI 0.85-10.00, p = 0.15).
We found high rates of clinical variation and statistically significant associations between non-compliance with VTE and antibiotic guidelines and increased risk of VTE and SSI, respectively. Complications after THR/TKR surgery may be decreased by improving compliance with clinical guidelines.
Purpose:
While elective primary total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty are effective procedures for addressing the symptoms associated with advanced osteoarthritis, there is evidence to suggest ...that patient anxiety and depression are linked to poorer outcomes following surgery.
Methods:
A secondary analysis of prospectively-collected data of people undergoing primary elective THA or TKA for osteoarthritis across 19 hospitals was performed. We assessed outcomes at 1 year post-surgery for people with and without medically treated anxiety and/or depression at the time of surgery (A/D and no-A/D). We used unadjusted and adjusted analyses to compare improvement in Oxford Hip or Knee Scores, the incidences of major post-operative complications, satisfaction and index joint improvement by A/D status.
Results:
15.2% (254/1669) of patients were identified with anxiety and/or depression at time of surgery. In the unadjusted analysis, the A/D group had greater mean Oxford score improvement by 2.1 points (95% CI 0.8 to 3.4, p = 0.001), increased major complications (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.85, p = 0.02), were less likely to report a “much better” global improvement for index joint (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.83, p = 0.003), and there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of satisfaction with the results of surgery (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.10, p = 0.10). The adjusted analysis found no significant associations between A/D vs. no-A/D and any of the reported outcomes.
Conclusion:
After adjustment for confounding variables, people with anxiety and/or depression pre-operatively, compared to those without, have similar outcomes following hip or knee arthroplasty.
This study compares the symptomatic 90-day venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates in patients receiving aspirin to patients receiving low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or direct oral anticoagulants ...(DOACs), after total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Data were collected from a multi-centre cohort study, including demographics, confounders and prophylaxis type (aspirin alone, LMWH alone, aspirin and LMWH, and DOACs). The primary outcome was symptomatic 90-day VTE. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding, joint related reoperation and mortality within 90 days. Data were analysed using logistic regression, the Student's t and Fisher's exact tests (unadjusted) and multivariable regression (adjusted).
There were 1867 eligible patients; 365 (20%) received aspirin alone, 762 (41%) LMWH alone, 482 (26%) LMWH and aspirin and 170 (9%) DOAC. The 90-day VTE rate was 2.7%; lowest in the aspirin group (1.6%), compared to 3.6% for LMWH, 2.3% for LMWH and aspirin and 2.4% for DOACs. After adjusted analysis, predictors of VTE were prophylaxis duration < 14 days (OR = 6.7, 95% CI 3.5-13.1, p < 0.001) and history of previous VTE (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.8, p = 0.05). There were no significant differences in the primary or secondary outcomes between prophylaxis groups.
Aspirin may be suitable for VTE prophylaxis following THA and TKA. The comparatively low unadjusted 90-day VTE rate in the aspirin group may have been due to selective use in lower-risk patients.
This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, trial number NCT01899443 (15/07/2013).
Preventing avoidable venous-thrombo-embolism (VTE) is a priority to improve patient and service outcomes after total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA), but compliance with relevant clinical ...guidelines varies. This study aims to determine the degree to which prophylaxis was compliant with Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) VTE prophylaxis guidelines and whether non-compliance is associated with increased risk of VTE. A prospective multi-centre cohort study of adults with osteoarthritis undergoing primary TKA/THA was completed at 19 high-volume public and private hospitals. Data were collected prior to surgery and for one-year post-surgery. Logistic regression was undertaken to explore associations between non-compliance with AOA VTE prophylaxis guidelines and symptomatic 90-day VTE outcomes. Data were analysed for 1838 participants from 19 sites. The rate of non-compliance with all clinical guideline recommendations was 20.1% (N = 369), with 14.1% (N = 259) non-compliance for risk-stratified prophylaxis, 35.8% (N = 658) for duration, and 67.8% (N = 1246) for other general recommendations. Symptomatic VTE was experienced up to 90-days post-surgery by 48 people (2.6%). Overall guideline non-compliance (AOR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.4 to 1.3, p = 0.86) was not associated with a lower risk of symptomatic 90-day VTE. Results were consistent when people with high bleeding risk were excluded (AOR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.44 to 2.34, p = 0.89). Non-compliance with the AOA VTE prophylaxis guidelines was not associated with risk of 90-day VTE after arthroplasty. This counterintuitive finding is concerning and necessitates a rigorous review of the AOA VTE prevention clinical guideline.
Lack of evidence contributes to unnecessary variation in treatment costs and outcomes. This study aimed to identify from interventions historically used for total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA): ...i) if routine use is supported by high-level evidence; ii) whether surgeon use aligns with the evidence.
Part 1: Systematic search of electronic library databases for systematic reviews and practice guidelines concerning seven acute-care interventions. Intervention-specific recommendations concerning routine use were extracted by assessors. Part 2: Prospective medical record audit of the acute-care received by 1900 patients involving 120 orthopaedic surgeons. Surgeon use per intervention was summarized using caterpillar plots. Surgeon-specific routine and non-routine use was defined as use in ≥ 90% and ≤ 10% of patients, respectively. Primary analysis included only surgeons contributing ≥ 10 patients.
Continuous passive motion (TKA): Routine use not recommended; 85.7% of surgeons did not use it routinely. Tranexamic Acid: Routine use recommended; 26.9% of surgeons used it routinely. Cryotherapy: Routine use not recommended; 45.7% of surgeons used it routinely for TKA; 31.8% used it routinely for THA. Intra-articular drainage: Routine use not recommended for TKA, but possible benefits for THA; 5.7% of surgeons used it routinely for TKA, 0.0% used it routinely for THA. Antibiotic loaded bone cement: Routine use for TKA not supported, recommendations for use for THA are inconsistent; 90.0% of surgeons used it routinely for TKA, 100.0% used it routinely for THA. Patella resurfacing (TKA): No recommendation could be made; 57.1% of surgeons routinely resurfaced the patella. Indwelling urinary catheterisation: Routine use recommended; 59.6% of surgeons used it routinely.
Recommendations for routine use or not exist for some of the acute-care interventions examined. Surgeon practices vary widely even in the presence of high-level recommendations. It is unclear whether further evidence alone would lessen unwarranted practice variation.
Antibiotic prophylaxis involving timely administration of appropriately dosed antibiotic is considered effective to reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after total hip and total knee ...arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Cephalosporins provide effective prophylaxis, although evidence regarding the optimal timing and dosage of prophylactic antibiotics is inconclusive. The aim of this study is to examine the association between cephalosporin prophylaxis dose, timing, and duration, and the risk of SSI after THA/TKA.
A prospective multicentre cohort study was undertaken in consenting adults with osteoarthritis undergoing elective primary TKA/THA at one of 19 high-volume Australian public/private hospitals. Data were collected prior to and for one-year post surgery. Logistic regression was undertaken to explore associations between dose, timing, and duration of cephalosporin prophylaxis and SSI. Data were analyzed for 1,838 participants. There were 264 SSI comprising 63 deep SSI (defined as requiring intravenous antibiotics, readmission, or reoperation) and 161 superficial SSI (defined as requiring oral antibiotics) experienced by 249 (13.6%) participants within 365 days of surgery.
In adjusted modelling, factors associated with a significant reduction in any SSI and deep SSI included: correct weight-adjusted dose (any SSI; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.68 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47 to 0.99); p = 0.045); commencing preoperative cephalosporin within 60 minutes (any SSI, aOR 0.56 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.89); p = 0.012; deep SSI, aOR 0.29 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.59); p < 0.001) or 60 minutes or longer prior to skin incision (aOR 0.35 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.70); p = 0.004; deep SSI, AOR 0.27 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.83); p = 0.022), compared to at or after skin incision. Other factors significantly associated with an increased risk of any SSI, but not deep SSI alone, were receiving a non-cephalosporin antibiotic preoperatively (aOR 1.35 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.81); p = 0.044) and changing cephalosporin dose (aOR 1.76 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.57); p = 0.002). There was no difference in risk of any or deep SSI between the duration of prophylaxis less than or in excess of 24 hours.
Ensuring adequate, weight-adjusted dosing and early, preoperative delivery of prophylactic antibiotics may reduce the risk of SSI in THA/TKA, whereas the duration of prophylaxis beyond 24 hours is unnecessary. Cite this article:
2022;3(3):252-260.
Background:
Evaluating the effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often relies on accurate patient reporting of postoperative complications. Despite this, ...there is little research regarding the accuracy of patient reports. We aimed to determine the accuracy of patient-reported significant complications after THA and TKA.
Methods:
Patients were recruited prior to undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty at 19 high-volume hospitals. After surgery, follow-up of patients via telephone interviews at 35, 90 and 365 days recorded surgical outcomes including readmission, reoperation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Patient-reported complications were verified via medical record audits and liaison with surgeons, general practitioners or other health professionals. Surgical and demographic information and patient-reported and verified complications were entered into a database. Patient-reported and verified complications were compared for readmission, reoperation and VTE.
Results:
The sample included 150 of 1811 patients who reported a total of 242 significant complications. Of the 242 patient-reported complications, 224 (92.6%) were correct (true positive). The type of complication had variable levels of accuracy in patient reports. Readmission to hospital was accurately reported by 90.2% (129/143) of patients. Reoperation (including any manipulations under anaesthesia, joint washouts, reductions of dislocated joints and revisions) was accurately reported by 98.7% (75/76) of patients. VTE was accurately reported by 86.7% (20/23) of patients.
Conclusion:
A high level of accuracy in patient-reported experience of complications was demonstrated following THA and TKA. Patient-reported complications may be reliably used for post-operative surveillance of joint replacement surgery.
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are growing globally. Understanding patterns of cerebrovascular disease in these communities may improve health outcomes. We aimed to compare ...the rates of transient ischaemic attack (TIA), ischaemic stroke (IS), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAD), and stroke risk factors in Vietnamese-born residents of South-Western Sydney (SWS) with those of an Australian-born cohort. A 10-year retrospective analysis (2011–2020) was performed using data extracted from the Health Information Exchange database characterising stroke presentations and risk factor profiles. The rates of hypertension (83.7% vs. 70.3%, p < 0.001) and dyslipidaemia (81.0% vs. 68.2%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in Vietnamese patients, while the rates of ischaemic heart disease (10.4% vs. 20.3%, p < 0.001), smoking (24.4% vs. 40.8%, p < 0.001), and alcohol abuse (>1 drink/day) (9.6% vs. 15.9%, p < 0.001) were lower. The rates of ICAD and ICH were higher in Vietnamese patients (30.9% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001 and 24.7% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.002). Regression analysis revealed that diabetes (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.14–3.04, p = 0.014) and glycosylated haemoglobin (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.15–1.98, p = 0.003) were predictors of ICAD in Vietnamese patients. Vietnamese patients had higher rates of symptomatic ICAD and ICH, with unique risk factor profiles. Culturally specific interventions arising from these findings may more effectively reduce the community burden of disease.
Background
Surgical site infection (SSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are associated with high burden and cost and are considered largely preventable following total knee or hip arthroplasty ...(TKA, THA). The risk of developing VTE and SSI is reduced when prophylaxis is compliant with evidence-based clinical guidelines. However, the association between VTE and antibiotic prophylaxis clinical guideline compliance and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after THA/TKA is unknown. This study aims to explore whether care that is non-compliant with VTE and antibiotic guideline recommendations is associated with PROMs (Oxford Hip/Knee Score and EQ-5D Index scores) at 90- and 365-days after surgery.
Methods
This prospective observational study included high-volume arthroplasty public and private sites and consenting eligible participants undergoing elective primary THA/TKA. We conducted multiple linear regression and linear mixed-effects modelling to explore the associations between non-compliance with VTE and antibiotic guidelines, and PROMs
.
Results
The sample included 1838 participants. Compliance with VTE and antibiotic guidelines was 35% and 13.2% respectively. In adjusted modelling, non-compliance with VTE guidelines was not associated with 90-day Oxford score (β = − 0.54, standard error SE = 0.34, p = 0.112) but was significantly associated with lower (worse) 365-day Oxford score (β = − 0.76, SE = 0.29, p = 0.009), lower EQ-5D Index scores at 90- (β = − 0.02 SE = 0.008, p = 0.011) and 365-days (β = − 0.03, SE = 0.008, p = 0.002).. The changes in Oxford and EQ-5D Index scores were not clinically important. Noncompliance with antibiotic guidelines was not associated with either PROM at 90- (Oxford: β = − 0.45, standard error SE = 0.47, p = 0.341; EQ-5D: β = − 0.001, SE = 0.011, p = 0.891) or 365-days (Oxford score: β = − 0.06, SE = 0.41, p = 0.880 EQ-5D: β = − 0.010, SE = 0.012, p = 0.383). Results were consistent when complications were included in the model and in linear mixed-effects modelling with the insurance sector as a random effect.
Conclusions
Non-compliance with VTE prophylaxis guidelines, but not antibiotic guidelines, is associated with statistically significant but not clinically meaningful differences in Oxford scores and EQ-5D Index scores at 365 days.
Plain English Summary
Guidelines exist to advise surgeons on how to prevent blood clots and infections for people having total hip and knee joint replacements (arthroplasty surgery). Adhering to these guidelines is associated with a reduced chance of people experiencing blood clots and infections. However, it is not known if guideline compliance affects outcomes reported by the person, including changes in pain, functioning, mobility, and quality of life. This study aimed to determine whether care that adheres to guidelines to prevent blood clots and infection improves the pain, function and quality of life outcomes reported by the person. We assessed the relationship between compliance to these guidelines and outcomes reported by patients in 1838 patients undergoing primary elective hip or knee joint replacement in Australia. When care does not adhere to guidelines to prevent blood clots, the scores on measures of pain and disability due to the operated joint and general quality of life are slightly, but not meaningfully, lower. Care that adheres to guidelines to prevent infection does not affect outcomes reported by the person.
Purpose
A proportion of TKA recipients following TKA are dissatisfied with their outcome. Our hypothesis is that patient satisfaction with TKA and perception of success of surgery are associated with ...patient comorbidities and overall health status, surgical and anaesthetic techniques as well as processes of post-operative care after TKA. The aims were to (i) measure the incidence of patient unfavourable outcomes—defined as dissatisfaction with the surgery or lack of joint-specific global improvement—1 year after TKA, and to explore the differences between these two outcomes of interest; (ii) assess the relationship between the development of these unfavourable outcomes and patient-reported knee function and overall quality of life; (iii) explore the associations between pre- and peri-operative variables and the development of these unfavourable outcomes 1 year after TKA.
Methods
This study includes analysis of data from a prospective cohort of 1017 TKA recipients. Pre-operative patient variables, surgical and acute-care data were collected. The Oxford knee score and the global perception of improvement were used to assess satisfaction and success 365 days post-surgery.
Results
From 1017 patients (56% female), mean age 68 years and BMI 32, 68 pts (7%) were dissatisfied with the outcome of surgery, 141 pts (14%) believed surgery was unsuccessful 1 year after TKA. A negative outcome was noted in 151 (15%) patients for either satisfaction or success, and 58 (6%) of patients reported neither good satisfaction nor success after surgery. Dissatisfied patients reported worse mean OKS (26.4 SD 8.03 vs 42.3 SD 5.21,
p
< 0.001) and mean EQ VAS (64.9 SD 19.49 vs 81.8 SD 14.38,
p
< 0.001) than satisfied patients. Patients who reported unsuccessful surgery also showed significantly lower mean OKS (30.9 SD 9.29 vs 42.9 SD 4.39,
p
< 0.001) and mean EQ VAS (68.2 SD 18.61 vs 82.7 SD 13.77,
p
< 0.001). Univariate analysis of predictors of unfavourable outcome post-TKA showed that financial status, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), ASA class > 2 and not resurfacing the patella were factors associated with the development of dissatisfaction with TKA and with patient perceived unsuccessful results of TKA. Multivariable logistic regression of patient satisfaction and success of TKA showed that compensation cases (OR 26.91,
p
< 0.001 for dissatisfaction and OR 11.49,
p
= 0.001 for unsuccessful TKA), obstructive sleep apnoea (OR 2.18,
p
= 0.04 for dissatisfaction and OR 1.82,
p
= 0.04 for unsuccessful TKA), ASA grade >
2
(OR 1.83,
p
= 0.04 for dissatisfaction and OR 1.57,
p
= 0.03 for unsuccessful TKA)and the development of a complication after TKA (OR 3.4,
p
< 0.001 for dissatisfaction and OR 2.39,
p
< 0.001 for unsuccessful TKA) were associated with the development of a negative outcome in both groups. Patella preservation (OR 1.96,
p
= 0.03) was associated with dissatisfaction, whereas the use of cruciate retaining femoral prosthesis was associated with less successful results of TKA (OR 1.78,
p
= 0.009).
Conclusions
An unfavourable outcome occurs in approximately 7–15% of patients following TKA. The incidence varies with how an unfavourable result is defined and many factors are associated with this outcome though prosthetic design or patella resurfacing do not appear to be important.
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