Outpatient total hip arthroplasty is a safe and effective option for appropriate patients, according to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Researchers performed a retrospective review of Humana insurance records to find patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty as inpatients or outpatients from 2007 to 2016. They calculated odds ratios for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and compared outpatients to inpatients. Researchers identified 2,184 patients who underwent outpatient total hip arthroplasty and 73,596 inpatients who underwent the procedure.
The key research details to know:
1. Outpatients had a lower incidence of comorbid hypertension, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, cerebrovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.
2. Patients undergoing outpatient total hip arthroplasty had similar rates of surgical complications, including hip dislocation and component revision after one year.
3. Postoperative medical complication rates were comparable between inpatients and outpatients.
4. 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."