Factors affecting the length of stay after total hip replacement; a retrospective analysis

Author(s): Dr. Muhammad Bilal, Dr. Noman Shakeel Niazi and Bhupinder Mann

Abstract: Background: Total hip replacement is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Healthcare budgets are finite. Much of the cost of total hip arthroplasty comprises the length of stay in hospital. Advancing care in joint replacement requires identification and correction of the factors affecting LOS.
Materials & Methods: A retrospective case series of 299 patients of elective primary total hip replacement, performed between 04/2015 to 03/2016 in a District General Hospital to determine patient and implant related factors.
Results: We looked at 299 patients. There was a clear correlation between ASA PS score and length of stay. With ASA PS Score one, LOS is three days, to ASA PS 3 = LOS five days. Effect of BMI on LOS is only significant in people with Grade III Obesity with average LOS is more than five days. Effect of age is only significant in patients above 80 years old. Patient with age range of 32 to 79 had an average LOS Four days but patient in the age group of above 80 years had an average LOS of Six days. Gender has an association with LOS in males four days and females have average LOS five days. Type of Implant shows an effect on LOS with shortest LOS four days in Uncemented Implants.
Conclusions: Our study showed that LOS after THR is multi factorial. Health system resources are limited, understanding of these variables is important for more effective use of resource, safe practice and high patient satisfaction in delivery of Orthopaedic care.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2018.v4.i2d.36