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Preoperative screening criteria reduced complications after TKA, THA at Veterans Affairs facility
There was a statistically significant decrease in surgical site infections and total complications after preoperative screening criteria were implemented for total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty at a single institution, according to a recently published study.
Researchers performed a retrospective review of the period before and after preoperative screening criteria were implemented at a Veterans Affairs facility for 520 elective TKAs and 475 elective THAs. The goal for the preoperative screening criteria was to reduce complications. There was a minimum follow-up of 1 year. On average, the follow-up was 2 years. Patients were assessed for demographics, preoperative comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores and postoperative complications. Comparisons were made for complications and surgical site infections (SSIs).
Results showed the total complication rate decreased from 35.4% to 14.8% after the screening criteria was implemented. Investigators noted the total complications for TKA decreased from 33.1% to 15% and for THA decreased from 42.4% to 14.2%. The total SSI rate for both TKA and THA decreased from 4.4% to 1.3%.
“For knees, SSI was reduced from 4.6% to 1.3% (P=0.01) and was statistically significant,” the authors wrote. The SSI rate decreased from 3.8% to 1.2% for THA. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.