Outpatient total hip arthroplasty is a safe and cost-effective option for certain patients, according to research published in the Journal of the American Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Researchers conducted a retrospective review of the Humana PearlDiver insurance records database to examine patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty as inpatients and outpatients between 2007 and 2016. The researchers identified 2,184 outpatient surgery patients and 73,596 inpatient surgery patients. The Charlson Comorbidity Index and multivariate logistic regression adjusting for age and gender were used to calculate complication odds ratios between inpatients and outpatients.
Here are three insights:
1. Patients who underwent outpatient total hip arthroplasty had a lower incidence of comorbid hypertension, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and other problems
2. Both inpatients and outpatients had comparable rates for surgical complications, including hip dislocations and component revision.
3. Researchers concluded, "Outpatient total hip arthroplasty is increasing in frequency nationwide and has comparable postoperative complication rates. With its potential to minimize arthroplasty care costs, outpatient total hip arthroplasty is a safe and effective option among appropriately selected patients."