Perioperative pain control represents the primary concern for patients considering outpatient shoulder arthroplasty:...

Outpatient (OP) total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with same-day discharge can now be performed safely in appropriately selected patients. Patient knowledge and perspectives regarding OP TSA are yet unknown and such information may inform surgeon decision-making and provide a framework for addressing patient concerns. The goal of this study was to understand and quantify patient knowledge of and concerns for OP TSA, with a working hypothesis that majority of patients are unaware of OP TSA as a realistic option and that their primary concern would be postoperative pain control.

This was a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care academic medical center including patients who underwent anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty and completed an OP TSA expectations questionnaire/survey. This survey was provided preoperatively and included demographic factors, self-rated health evaluation, and perioperative expectations. Surveys evaluated whether patients undergoing TSA had any prior awareness of OP TSA and evaluated their primary concern with same-day discharge. Secondary questions included an assessment of patient expectations of outcomes of outpatient vs. inpatient surgery as well as their expected length of inpatient stay.

A total of 122 patients who underwent anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty completed the questionnaire and comprised the study cohort. Fifty-two (42.6%) of the patients were unaware that OP TSA was an option, and 26 (50%) of these were comfortable with the idea of OP TSA. Comfort with OP TSA was significantly associated with higher subjective patient-reported health status. Fifty-eight patients (47.5%) expected that following TSA they would require <24 hours of in-hospital postoperative care. The primary concern for patients considering OP TSA was postoperative pain control, endorsed by 44.3% of patients, compared with 13.1% of patients stating this would be their primary concern if admitted as an inpatient postoperatively. Pain control being a primary concern was significantly different between those considering outpatient vs. inpatient TSA. Most patients anticipated that OP shoulder arthroplasty would lead to a better (36%) or comparable (53%) outcome, whereas only 11% had concerns that it would lead to a worse outcome.

Expanding OP TSA crucially depends on awareness and education. Perceived ability to control pain is an important concern. Patients may benefit from preoperative counseling, including emphasizing a comprehensive postoperative pain management strategy.