Multi-center experience with outpatient total hip arthroplasty via a standard posterolateral approach

This study sought to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and resource utilization of a pilot outpatient surgery program for total hip arthroplasty compared to traditional inpatient total hip arthroplasty performed via the posterolateral approach.

A cohort of 68 patients from two sites were enrolled in a regional pilot project for outpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA) and matched 1:1 against a cohort of patients undergoing routine inpatient THA. Data was extracted retrospectively from patient and hospital charts including adverse events (AE), readmission within 90 days, emergency room (ER) visits, patient calls, patient-reported outcome measures, length of stay, and multiple surgical variables.

The outpatient group had a mean hospital stay of 13 hours, whereas the inpatient group had a mean of 58 hours (p<0.001). Three outpatients and four inpatients experienced post-op complications. Three inpatients and one outpatient visited the ER within 8 weeks of surgery. No difference in pre-operative hemoglobin (p = 0.210), or surgical blood loss (p = 0.550) was found between study groups. There was no difference found between groups regarding Oxford-12 Hip Score improvement, nor satisfaction at six months, one and two years (p>0.125).

This study demonstrates that outpatient THA using the posterolateral approach is as safe and effective as inpatient THA for overall healthy and carefully screened patients, based on the low rate of AEs observed and similar patient outcomes reported. Significantly reduced time in hospital demonstrates the reduced healthcare resources associated with outpatient THA.