Obstructive sleep apnea as a risk factor for postoperative complications after revision joint arthroplasty

Although current evidence is limited, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been suggested as a risk factor for morbidity after primary joint arthroplasty. Our objective was to determine if patients with OSA have a higher likelihood of postoperative in-hospital complications or increased costs after revision arthroplasty. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 258,455 patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty or revision total knee arthroplasty between 2006 and 2008. Of these patients, 16,608 (6.4%) had been diagnosed with OSA. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression modeling was used to compare patients with and without OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.9; P = .002), pulmonary embolism (odds ratio, 2.1; P = .001), wound hematomas or seromas (odds ratio, 1.36; P < .001), and increased postoperative charges ($61,044 vs $58,813; P < .001). Further research is warranted.