Study: Predictors of Discharge to Post-acute Care Facility After THA
A retrospective study published in the Sept. 15 issue of the Journal of the AAOS (JAAOS) ® identified pre- and postoperative factors associated with discharge to a post-acute care facility after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Between 2012 and 2017, 2,372 patients underwent THA at a single institution; 6.2 percent were discharged to a post-acute care facility. Two predictive models were developed: preoperative visit and postoperative hospital course. The seven factors associated with post-acute facility discharge were age 65 years or older, nonwhite race, history of depression, female sex, greater comorbidities, in-hospital complications, and surgical duration longer than 90 minutes.
Study Compares Revision, 90-day Mortality Rates Between TKR and UKR
A study published online in The Journal of Arthroplasty assessed unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) and total knee replacement (TKR) revision rates and determined what UKR revision rates would be had patients received TKR. Data were collected from the National Joint Registry. Over 10 years, UKR patients were 2.5 times more likely to require revision. Rerevision rates were similar between revised TKRs and UKRs and were higher than revision rates after primary TKR. TKR patients had a higher 90-day mortality rate than UKR patients, as well as compared to the predicted 90-day mortality rate if UKR patients received TKR.
Study Identifies Characteristics Associated with Success in Female Surgical Department Chairs
A study published online in JAMA Surgery observed factors that may contribute to the professional success of female surgical department chairs. Twenty current (n = 16) and emeritus (n = 4) female chairs of American academic surgical departments took part in semistructured telephone interviews. The two major themes that emerged were internal and external factors. Common internal factors included confidence, resilience, selflessness, and adaptability. Both overt and subtle external factors were important. Overt factors included mentors of both sexes. Institutional- and cultural-level subtle factors either supported or detracted from career advancement.
Study: Does Preoperative Lumbar Epidural Injection Increase SSI Risk in Fusion Surgery?
A study published in the August issue of the Journal of Pain evaluated the correlation between preoperative lumbar epidural injection (LEI) in the OR and surgical site infection (SSI) risk after posterior lumbar instrumented fusion surgery. A total of 469 patients received preoperative LEIs, and 2,312 patients did not (control group). Patients were also stratified by whether they underwent surgery within one month (0–1 M) or more than one month (> 1 M) after LEIs; they were then subcategorized by whether they received steroids. The 0–1 M group had a significantly greater infection risk than the control group. The 0–1 M with steroids group was more likely than the control group to sustain SSI, but the > 1 M with steroids group had a lower SSI risk No significant differences were observed between the control group and either nonsteroid group.
Upcoming JAAOS ® Webinar: Patella Baja in Total Knee Arthroplasty
On Sept. 16, from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. CT, Henry D. Clarke, MD, FAAOS, will lead a 60-minute webinar reviewing the April 15 JAAOS ® article “Patella Baja in Total Knee Arthroplasty.” Attendees will hear from the article’s authors regarding their research on patella baja in total knee arthroplasty, including the etiology, diagnosis approaches, treatment options, surgical management strategies, and outcomes for each procedure reviewed. Attendees can earn 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and will also receive a link to the recorded event.
Your Patients and Colleagues Are on Social Media, And You Should Be Too
The benefits of social media extend far beyond simply allowing patients to follow you on Twitter or Instagram. Social media accounts are an easy, low-cost way to promote yourself and your practice. Approximately 80 percent of internet users seek health information online, and 74 percent of them are specifically looking on social media for their health information. If you aren’t on social media, your potential patients may find another surgeon who is.
