Adverse Events After Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A National Database Study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Optimal management for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries is under investigation due to reconstruction challenges and risks.
• Studies report varied complication rates following PCL reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine 90-day readmission, emergency department (ED) visit, and complication rates after isolated PCL reconstruction (PCLR).
• To identify perioperative variables affecting decisions between operative and nonoperative management for PCL injuries.

Main Methods:

• A national administrative database (PearlDiver) was used to identify isolated PCLR cases from 2010-2020.
• Exclusion criteria included concomitant ligament surgery and insufficient follow-up.
• Adverse events, readmissions, and ED visits within 90 days were recorded; logistic regression analyzed predictors of ED utilization.

Main Results:

• The cohort included 1154 patients undergoing isolated PCLR.
• Ninety-day adverse event rates were low: DVT (1.1%), PE (1.6%), surgical site infection (<1%), vascular event (<1%).
• Readmission (1.1%) and ED utilization (8.6%) were observed, with 52% of ED visits occurring within 2 weeks postoperatively. Higher comorbidity scores and Medicaid insurance predicted increased ED visits.

Conclusions:

• This study provides crucial data on adverse event rates following isolated PCL reconstruction in a large national cohort.
• Findings offer valuable context for clinical decision-making regarding the optimal management of PCL injuries.