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Above-knee amputation found to be more common than arthrodesis among failed infected TKAs
Patients with a failed infected total knee arthroplasty were more likely to undergo an above-knee amputation than an arthrodesis, according to results.
Researchers evaluated procedure volumes, postoperative complications, hospital charges, length of stay and 90-day readmission rates among 2,634 patients who underwent arthrodesis and 5,001 patients who underwent above-knee amputation for an infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 2005 and 2012.
Results showed a significant increase in the percentage of patients who underwent above-knee amputation compared with arthrodesis throughout the study period. Researchers noted older age and more medical comorbidities were noted among patients who underwent above-knee amputation.
A significantly higher rate of postoperative infection and transfusion was found among patients who underwent arthrodesis, according to results, while a higher rate of systemic complications and in-hospital mortality was found among patients who underwent above-knee amputation. Overall, researchers noted lower hospital charges, longer length of stay and higher 90-day readmission rates among patients who underwent above-knee amputation. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Carr reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.