Risk Factors for Readmission After Surgical Treatment of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common, surgically treated adolescent hip condition. This study sought to evaluate postoperative complications and factors associated with hospital readmission using a nationally representative database. The 2013 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried to analyze the incidence of acute readmission and complications for all patients with SCFE. Patients were separated based on 3 different operative approaches (open procedures, closed procedures, or both) and were compared based on choice of procedure, clinical characteristics, patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications. Univariate and multivariate techniques were used to predict readmission and complications. A total of 1082 patients with SCFE were identified; 58 (5.9%) were readmitted within 90 days of the index surgery, and 47 (73.4%) underwent a "closed" surgery, including 18 bilateral (27.4%). Increasing age and shorter primary length of stay were protective against readmission. Patients with the comorbidity of hypothyroidism were 47.4 times more likely to be readmitted. Obesity, sex, and median household income were not predictive of readmission. Patients readmitted were more likely to have undergone an index procedure of closed reduction or both an open and closed reduction procedure. This study is the first to report national SCFE readmission and complication rates and allows pediatric orthopedic surgeons to have a better understanding of associated risk factors. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(6):e507-e513.].