Definitional Differences of 'Outpatient' Versus 'Inpatient' THA and TKA Can Affect Study Outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Future THA, TKA, or other investigations on this topic should consistently quantify the term "outpatient" because different definitions, stated status or actual LOS, may lead to different assignments of risk factors for postoperative complications. Accurate data regarding risk factors for complications after total joint arthroplasty are crucial for efforts to reduce length of hospital stay and minimize complications.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.
PMID: 28083753 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research - January 11, 2017 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Bovonratwet P, Webb ML, Ondeck NT, Lukasiewicz AM, Cui JJ, McLynn RP, Grauer JN Tags: Clin Orthop Relat Res Source Type: research