Is Preoperative Weight Reduction in Patients Who Have Body Mass Index ≥ 40 Associated With Lower Complication Rates After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Background: Given the heightened risk of postoperative complications associated with obesity, delaying total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who have a body mass index (BMI) > 40 to maximize preoperative weight loss has been advocated by professional societies and orthopaedic surgeons. While the benefits of this strategy are not well-understood, previous studies have suggested that a 5% reduction in weight or BMI may be associated with reduced complications after THA.

Methods: We identified 613 patients who underwent primary THA in a single institution during a 7-year period and who had a BMI >40 recorded from 9 to 12 months prior to surgery.

Substantial Weight Loss May Not Improve Early Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Morbidly Obese.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) cutoffs for morbidly obese patients otherwise indicated for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been widely proposed and implemented, though they remain controversial. Previous studies suggested that a 5% reduction in BMI may be associated with fewer postoperative complications. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether a substantial reduction in preoperative BMI in morbidly obese patients improved 90-day outcomes after TKA.

Obesity Severity Does Not Associate With Rate, Timing, or Invasiveness of Early Reinterventions After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The use of body mass index (BMI) cutoff values has been suggested for proceeding with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in obese patients. However, the relationship between obesity severity and early reoperations after TKA is poorly defined. This study evaluated whether increased World Health Organization (WHO) obesity class was associated with risk, severity, and timing of reintervention within one year after TKA.

Defining the Learning Period of a Novel Imageless Navigation System for Posterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: Analysis of Surgical Time and Accuracy.

Introduction: The use of imageless navigation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is frequently associated with prolonged surgical times, predominantly during the learning period. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the learning period of a novel imageless navigation system, specifically as it related to surgical time and acetabular navigation accuracy.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of a consecutive group of 158 patients who underwent primary unilateral THA for osteoarthritis by a team headed by a single surgeon.

The John N. Insall Award: Does Melatonin Improve Subjective Sleep Quality After Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Sleep disturbance is a common problem following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objective of this study was to determine if exogenous melatonin improves sleep quality following primary TKA.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.

Wound Complications Are Affected by Different Skin Closure Methods in Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: There is a lack of consensus on optimal skin closure and dressing strategies to reduce early wound complication rates after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: All 13,271 patients at low risk for wound complications undergoing primary, unilateral THA (7,816), and TKA (5,455) for idiopathic osteoarthritis at our institution between August 2016 and July 2021 were identified. Skin closure, dressing type, and postoperative events related to wound complications were recorded during the first 30 postoperative days.

Re-initiation of elective total knee arthroplasty with an adapted pathway during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was safe and effective.

Introduction: In June 2020 when elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) resumed after the initial COVID-19 surge, we adapted our TKA pathway focusing on a shorter hospitalization, increased home discharge, and use of post-discharge telemedicine and telerehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if changes in postoperative care affected early TKA outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred and fifty-four patients who underwent elective primary unilateral TKA for primary osteoarthritis between June and August 2020 (study group) were matched 1:1 for age, sex, body mass index, and Charlson comorbidity index with control patients who underwent surgery between August and November 2019.