Factors Associated with Hospital Readmission After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty
N.C.C. De Almeida, I.T. Moura, E.M. Raposo, G.K. Lima, G.K. Lima, J.A.R.M. PereiraObjectives:
To determine the incidence of hospital readmission after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to identify demographic, clinical, surgical, and perioperative factors associated with this outcome.
Methods:
A retrospective observational study was conducted including patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, surgical variables, perioperative factors, and hospital readmissions within 90 days and one year after surgery were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between potential risk factors and hospital readmission, adopting a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results:
The overall rate of hospital readmission after primary total knee arthroplasty was low at both 90 days (1.7%) and one year (1.8%) of follow-up. Most demographic and surgical variables were not significantly associated with readmission. The need for perioperative blood transfusion was associated with early hospital readmission (p < 0,001). Chronic kidney disease was also associated with readmission; however, the number of affected patients was small. Weak associations were observed between hospital readmission and thromboprophylaxis regimen.
Conclusion:
Hospital readmission after primary total knee arthroplasty was infrequent in this cohort. Readmissions appeared to be more commonly associated with perioperative and clinical factors than with isolated demographic or surgical characteristics.