Length of hospital stay and readmissions after major lower extremity amputation: a Danish nationwide registry study

Major lower extremity amputation (MLEA) is associated with complications that may prolong length of hospital stay (LOS) and increase the risk of readmission. We primarily aimed to examine the LOS and risk of readmissions after MLEA in Denmark. Secondarily we investigated the time trends.

Using Danish National Patient Registry data, this observational study analyzed 11,205 first-time MLEAs (35% transtibial amputations, 65% transfemoral amputations) performed between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2021. Total LOS included pre- and postoperative nights. The first readmission within 30 days and 90 days post-discharge was analyzed.

The median total LOS after a transtibial amputation was 19 days (interquartile range [IQR] 11-30), and decreased from 28 days (IQR 17-41) in 2010 to 14 days (IQR 9-23) in 2021. The median total LOS after a transfemoral amputation was 13 days (IQR 8-22) and decreased from 16 days (IQR 9-27) in 2010 to 11 days (IQR 7-18) in 2021. Post-discharge readmission risks within 30 days were 27% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24-28) for transtibial amputations and 23% (CI 22-24) for transfemoral amputations, with corresponding 90-day risks of 40% (CI 39-42) and 35% (CI 34-36), respectively. The 30-day risk of readmission increased in both groups.

We observed that MLEA patients' hospital admissions lasted 2-3 weeks and decreased over the study period. A readmission risk of 23-27% within 30 days and 35-40 % within 90 days post-discharge was observed. Readmissions risk increased for both initial transtibial and transfemoral amputations over the study period.