Improvement in fast-track hip and knee arthroplasty: a prospective multicentre study of 36,935 procedures from 2010 to 2017
Pelle Baggesgaard Petersen, Henrik Kehlet, Christoffer Calov Jørgensen, Frank Madsen, Torben Bæk Hansen, Kirill Gromov, Mogens Berg Laursen, Lars Tambour Hansen, Per Kjærsgaard‐Andersen, Søren Solgaard, Niels Harry Krarup, Jens Peder Bagger
Abstract
"Fast-track" protocols has improved surgical care with a reduction in length of hospital stay (LOS) in total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the effects of continuous refinement of perioperative care lack detailed assessment. We studied time-related changes in LOS and morbidity after THA and TKA within a collaboration with continuous scientific refinement of perioperative care. Prospective multicentre consecutive cohort study between 2010 and 2017 from nine high-volume orthopaedic centres with established fast-track THA and TKA protocols. Prospective collection of comorbidities and complete 90-day follow-up from the Danish National Patient Registry and medical records. Of 36,935 procedures median age was 69 [62 to 75] years and 58% women. LOS declined from three [two to three] days in 2010 to one [one to two] day in 2017. LOS > 4 days due to "medical" or "surgical" complications, and "with no recorded morbidity" declined from 4.4 to 2.7%, 1.5 to 0.6%, and 3.8 to 1.3%, respectively. 90-days readmission rate declined from 8.6 to 7.7%. Our multicentre study in a socialized healthcare setting was associated with a continuous reduction in LOS and morbidity after THA and TKA.