A study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found only 0.5 percent of total hip arthroplasty patients at a single surgery center needed follow-up care at a hospital.
The researchers identified 549 patients who underwent mini-posterior total hip arthroplasty at an independent ambulatory surgery center.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Three of the 549 patients were admitted to a local hospital from the ASC.
2. One patient, who had failed to disclose long-term high-dose narcotic dependence, was admitted for pain control.
3. One patient was admitted for an acetabular component migration, which was found on a postoperative X-ray.
4. One patient was admitted for hypotension, bradycardia and an acute polyarthralgia exacerbation.
5. A fourth patient visited a local emergency department two days after surgery due to oversedation secondary to narcotics. The patient was later discharged home.
The researchers concluded that "outpatient THA at an ambulatory surgical center is safe and effective when performed on the appropriately indicated patient."