A new literature review published on Medscape News analyzes the factors influencing total knee replacement and investigate the relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes. The researchers included patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in the study population, examining studies that reported on the association between surgeon volume and outcomes, according to the report. The study found:
1. Mortality rate, survivorship and thromboembolic events were not associated with surgeon volume.
2. Significant association between low surgeon volume and infection rate.
3. Longer procedure time — 165 minutes on average versus 135 minutes — for low volume surgeons when compared with high volume surgeons.
4. Longer length of stay at hospitals — 0.4 to 2.13 days longer — for low volume surgeons when compared with high volume surgeons.
5. Higher transfusion rate — 13 percent on average versus 4 percent — for low volume surgeons when compared with high volume surgeons.
More Articles on Orthopedic Surgery:
10 Statistics on Orthopedic Physician Compensation Across the United States in 2012
8 Orthopedic Surgeons Treating Professional Athletes
5 Big Mistakes for Spine Practice Marketing