A study in Bone & Joint Journal investigated whether an integrated outpatient total knee arthroplasty program can lead to comparable inpatient and outpatient outcomes.
The researchers identified 100 TKA procedures in 93 end-stage knee arthritis patients, 47 of which were inpatient procedures and 53 of which were outpatient procedures. The outpatient TKA program integrated analgesia, rehabilitation and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Of the patients who had planned for outpatient TKA, 96 percent met the researchers' multidisciplinary criteria for same-day discharge.
2. Quality of recovery at postoperative day one was significantly higher in the outpatient group; however, following the first day, these outcome measures were not significantly different.
3. Two of the patients required overnight admission; one for an extended motor-block and one for a vasovagal syncope.
4. There were seven emergency department visits recorded in the outpatient group and four emergency department visits recorded in the inpatient group.
The researchers concluded, "Outpatient TKA in selected patients produced a postoperative quality of recovery and patient satisfaction similar to that of inpatient TKA."