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Mortality rates decreased among elderly patients after orthopedic surgery
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Elective major orthopedic surgical procedure rates in older patients have increased during the past decade, with decreased in-hospital mortality rates and stable or increased in-hospital complication rates, according to study findings.
Researchers used ICD-9-CM codes to identify patients 80 years and older in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample who underwent spinal fusion, total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from 2000 to 2009. The researchers also analyzed demographic data regarding the patient and health care system.
Study results showed an increasing trend in age-adjusted incidence of spinal fusion, THA and TKA in patients 80 years and older during the time period studied. Although overall in-hospital complication rates remained stable over time for spinal fusion and TKA, rates increased for THA.
In-hospital mortality rates were shown to decrease over time; however, the researchers found overall in-hospital complication and mortality rates were significantly higher among patients at least 80 years of age compared with patients between 65 and 79 years old.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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