Summary

Outpatient knee arthroplasty in a developing country is safe and feasible

Abstract

Objectives: To determine in a selected group of patients the feasibility and safty of performing outpatient total knee arthroplasty when following a comprehensive perioperative clinical and surgical pathway at Davinci-QRA Hospital de los Valles Quito-Ecuador

Methods

This prospective study included 56 patients affected by severe osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent outpatient total knee replacement (TKR) from october 2018 to December 2019. All patients followed an established comprehensive perioperative clinical and surgical pathway. Chart review was done to collect data regarding preoperative demographics, operative surgical techniques and post-operative complications at 1 week and 12 week after surgery. All patients were ASA I and II.

Results

All of the 56 patients (100%) could be discharged home on the same day of surgery. 35 patients (62%) had cemented TKR with UC disign. 21 patients (38%) had cemented TKR with PS design. Mean age was 54.6 years (18-65). 2 (4%) patients required readmission between week one and week 3 for clinical reasons and no major o severe complication were observed. All patients had a high level of satisfaction.

Conclusion

We found that patients can be safely and effectively discharged on the same day of surgery after total knee arthroplasty, with high levels of satisfaction and similar rate of perioperative complication than standard lenght of hospitalization. This clearly offers improved management of resources and financial savings to healthcare trusts in a developing country