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Low Rates of 30-Day Postoperative Complications After Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: A Retrospective Study Using
Sarah Whitaker1, Conor O'Neill2, James Satalich3
1Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.
Purpose:
To determine the short-term (30-day) postoperative complication rates in patients undergoing meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT).
Methods:
The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who had undergone MAT from 2014 to 2021 using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were excluded if they did not have sufficient demographic data, namely those without data for age, sex, body mass index, preoperative functional status, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Postoperative complications within 30 days were identified, and rates of complications were examined as the primary outcome of this study. As a secondary outcome, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with the 30-day incidence of postoperative complications. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze differences in postoperative outcomes after isolated MAT versus MAT with concomitant ligament reconstruction/repair, cartilage preservation, or realignment osteotomy.
Results:
A total of 396 meniscal transplants were identified, with mean age of 35.2 ± 14.9, mean body mass index of 29.6 ± 6.7, mean length of stay of 0.5 ± 1.8 days. Eleven patients experienced any adverse event. Specific complications included surgical-site infections (5), deep-vein thrombosis (1), urinary tract infection (3), and return to the operating room (2). On subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference between any adverse event rates in patients undergoing MAT with concomitant procedures compared with patients undergoing isolated MAT (7 vs 4, P = .5).
Conclusions:
Patients who underwent MAT had an overall complication rate of 2.8% in the short-term postoperative period (≤30 days). Patients undergoing MAT with concomitant ligament reconstruction/repair, cartilage preservation, and realignment osteotomy had similar rates of all postoperative complications when compared with patients undergoing isolated MAT.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Insights
Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) has a low short-term complication rate of 2.8%. Concomitant procedures do not significantly increase these risks, indicating MAT is a safe option for patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Sports medicine
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is a surgical procedure used to replace a damaged meniscus with donor tissue.
- Assessing short-term postoperative complications is crucial for understanding the safety and efficacy of MAT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the 30-day postoperative complication rates following meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT).
- To identify risk factors associated with short-term complications after MAT.
- To compare complication rates between isolated MAT and MAT with concomitant procedures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2014-2021).
- Inclusion of patients who underwent MAT, excluding those with incomplete demographic or outcome data.
- Identification and examination of 30-day postoperative complications, with multivariate logistic regression for risk factor analysis.
Main Results:
- A total of 396 meniscus allografts were identified.
- The overall 30-day complication rate was 2.8% (11 patients).
- Specific complications included surgical-site infections, deep-vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections, and return to the operating room. No significant difference in complication rates was found between isolated MAT and MAT with concomitant procedures.
Conclusions:
- Meniscus allograft transplantation demonstrates a low incidence of short-term postoperative complications (2.8%).
- Concomitant surgical procedures, including ligament reconstruction, cartilage preservation, or osteotomy, do not appear to significantly increase the risk of short-term complications.
- MAT is a safe procedure with favorable short-term outcomes, even when combined with other surgical interventions.
