Risk factors for complications and revision surgery after anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Complications and revisions following anatomic (aTSA) and reverse (rTSA) total shoulder arthroplasty have deleterious effects on patient function and satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient-specific, implant-specific and technique-specific risk factors for intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and the occurrence of revisions after aTSA and rTSA.

A total of 2964 aTSA and 5616 rTSA patients were enrolled in an international database of primary shoulder arthroplasty. Intra- and postoperative complications, as well as revisions, were reported and evaluated. Multivariate analyses were performed to quantify the risk factors associated with complications and revisions.

aTSA patients had a significantly higher complication rate (P = .0026) and a significantly higher revision rate (P < .0001) than rTSA patients, but aTSA patients also had a significantly longer average follow-up (P < .0001) than rTSA patients. No difference (P = .2712) in the intraoperative complication rate was observed between aTSA and rTSA patients. Regarding intraoperative complications, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-3.68) and previous shoulder surgery (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.73-4.90) were identified as significant risk factors. In regard to postoperative complications, younger age (OR 0.987, 95% CI 0.977-0.996), diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (OR 1.76, 95% 1.12-2.65), and previous shoulder surgery (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.16-1.72) were noted to be risks factors. Finally, in regard to revision surgery, younger age (OR 0.964, 95% CI 0.933-0.998), more glenoid retroversion (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.001-1.058), larger humeral stem size (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.19), larger humeral liner thickness or offset (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.18-1.96), larger glenosphere diameter (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.26), and more intraoperative blood loss (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001-1.004) were noted to be risk factors.

Studying the impact of numerous patient- and implant-specific risk factors and determining their impact on complications and revision shoulder arthroplasty can assist surgeons in counseling patients and guide patient expectations following aTSA or rTSA. Care should be taken in patients with a history of previous shoulder surgery, who are at increased risk of both intra- and postoperative complications.