Published in:
01-01-2012 | Original Article
Predicting the need for high-dependency care in patients undergoing hip and knee revision surgery
Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 1/2012
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Introduction
Revision hip and knee arthroplasty surgery may cause great physiological stress to what is commonly an aged, infirm patient population. In some orthopaedic units, it is routine practice to book high-dependency unit (HDU) beds for postoperative revision arthroplasty surgery patients. If this facility is not available on the day of surgery, the operation may be postponed, leading to increased patient anxiety, wasted theatre time and loss of potential income for the hospital. If the likelihood of a patient needing HDU care could be accurately predicted from their comorbid conditions and type of surgery, it may be possible to safely proceed with surgery, avoiding the above scenario.
Aim
To ascertain whether comorbidities and type of revision arthroplasty may be used to predict the need for postoperative high-dependency care.
Method
A total of 196 patients undergoing lower limb revision arthroplasty surgery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital were identified from June 2007 to June 2010. For each patient, age, ASA grade and type of revision arthroplasty were correlated against length of stay in the HDU.
Results
The results showed that there was no clear-cut correlation between age, ASA grade or the type of revision operation and the patient’s length of stay in HDU.
Conclusion
Age, ASA grade and type of revision arthroplasty are not useful tools in predicting the need for postoperative HDU admission with patients undergoing lower limb revision arthroplasty surgery.