Prospective cohort study of same-day discharge shoulder arthroplasty in patients of 85 years and younger.

Introduction: Shoulder arthroplasty is mostly performed as an inpatient procedure. Same-day discharge arthroplasty has shown positive results in hip and knee surgery. Primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a safe and satisfactory same-day discharge (SDD) can be predicted with a set of easy to use predefined criteria, without increasing complications and re-admissions.

Methods: This study was a prospective cohort study. Patient selection criteria were: <85 years old, ASA 1, 2, and mild ASA 3. Primary outcome variables were successful SDD, complications, re-admissions and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcome scores. The results are compared with the inpatient cohort.

Results: In total, 163 patients were treated for elective shoulder arthroplasty. Of which 51 patients were selected for same-day discharge arthroplasty. 94% of pre-planned same-day discharge arthroplasty patients were discharged on the day of surgery. In the same-day discharge group, there were no complications related to the early discharge and a 2% readmission rate as opposed to a 3% readmission rate in the inpatient group. Surgery related as well as medical complications did not differ between the same-day discharge and inpatient cohort.

Discussion: Same-day discharge shoulder arthroplasty is a safe and satisfying treatment option in selected patient groups.