A Review of Perioperative Complications of Outpatient Total Ankle Arthroplasty

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd R. Borenstein ◽  
Kapil Anand ◽  
Quanlin Li ◽  
Timothy P. Charlton ◽  
David B. Thordarson

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is commonly pursued for patients with painful arthritis. Outpatient TAA are increasingly common and have been shown to decrease costs compared to inpatient surgery. However, there are very few studies examining the safety of outpatient TAA. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 65 consecutive patients who received outpatient TAA to identify complication rates. Methods: The medical records of 65 consecutive outpatient TAA from October 2012 to May 2016 with a minimum 6-month follow-up were reviewed. All patients received popliteal and saphenous blocks prior to surgery and were managed with oral pain medication postoperatively. All received a STAR total ankle. Demographics, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and perioperative complications including wound breakdown, infection, revision, and nonrevision surgeries were observed. Mean follow-up was 16.6 ± 9.1 months (range, 6-42 months). Results: There were no readmissions for pain control and 1 patient had a wound infection. The overall complication rate was 15.4%. One ankle (1.5%) had a wound breakdown requiring debridement and flap coverage. This patient thrombosed a popliteal artery stent 1 month postop. The 1 ankle (1.5%) with a wound infection occurred in a patient with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the safety of outpatient TAA. The combination of regional anesthesia and oral narcotics provided a satisfactory experience with no readmissions for pain control and 1 wound infection. The 1 wound breakdown complication (1.5%) was attributed to arterial occlusion and not outpatient management. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Todd Borenstein ◽  
David B. Thordarson ◽  
Timothy P. Charlton ◽  
Stephanie Chen

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is commonly pursued for patients with painful arthritis. As the number of TAA increases, so too will the associated economic burden. In the current healthcare environment, savings are in the national spotlight. Studies of total joint arthroplasty (THA and TKA) have demonstrated that outpatient surgery decreases surgical costs.1,2 Additionally, outpatient THA and TKA have not been associated with increased complication or readmission rates.3–6 Outpatient TAA are becoming more common which may lead to decreased costs of care. Despite the potential savings, TAA remains an “inpatient-only procedure” for Medicare patients. Currently, there are no clinical studies examining the safety of outpatient TAA. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 65 consecutive outpatient TAA to identify complication rates and patient risk factors. Methods: The medical records of 65 consecutive outpatient TAA from October 2012 to May 2016 with a minimum of 6-month follow-up were reviewed. All patients received popliteal and saphenous blocks with bupivacaine and epinephrine prior to surgery and were managed with oral NSAID and narcotic pain medication post-operatively. All patients received a STAR total ankle prosthesis. Demographics, comorbidities, ASA and perioperative complications including wound breakdown, infection, revision and non-revision surgeries were compared to historic controls. Mean follow up was 16.6 +/- 9.1 months (range, 6-42 months). Results: The overall complication rate in this series was 21.8%. One ankle (1.5%) had a wound breakdown requiring debridement and flap coverage. This patient had a history of Polycythemia Vera with re-thrombosis of their popliteal artery one month after TAA surgery. Two ankles (3%) had deep infections. Nine ankles (13.8%) required non-revision surgery. Three ankles (4.6%) required posterior capsular release, one ankle (1.5%) required medial malleolar screws for symptomatic stress reaction, and three ankles (4.6%) required arthroscopic or open gutter release. Two ankles (3%) required revision surgery. One for talar component subsidence in a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth managed with an arthrodesis at eleven months. The other revision was performed for aseptic tibial component loosening and managed with conversion to an INBONE prosthesis at seven months. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the safety of outpatient TAA. The combination of regional anesthesia and oral narcotics provided a satisfactory outpatient experience and zero patients required readmission for pain control. The one wound complication (1.5%) was attributed to arterial occlusion and not outpatient management. This compares to the 6.6-28% wound breakdown rate found in the literature.7–10 Our revision surgery rate (3%) was comparable to the 3.1-16.5% rate found in the literature, and was also not attributed to outpatient management.7–10 We feel this demonstrates that outpatient TAA can be performed safely.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 247301142098578
Author(s):  
Gregory Lundeen ◽  
Kaitlin C. Neary ◽  
Cody Kaiser ◽  
Lyle Jackson

Background: Surgeons who lack experience with total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) may remain hesitant to introduce this procedure owing to previously published results of high complication rates during initial cases. The purpose of the present study was to report the development of a TAA program through intermediate outcomes and complications for an initial consecutive series of TAA patients of a single community-based foot and ankle fellowship–trained orthopedic surgeon with little TAA experience using a co-surgeon with similar training and TAA exposure. Methods: The initial 20 patients following third-generation TAA with a single surgeon were reviewed. Clinical outcomes were measured and radiographs were evaluated to determine postoperative implant and ankle position. Complications were also measured including intraoperative, early (<3 months), and intermediate postoperative complications. Results: With a minimum follow-up of 2 years and average follow-up of 51 months (range 24-70 months), the mean American Orthopaedic Ankle & Foot Society Ankle-Hindfoot score was 87.7 (59-100) and VAS was 1.0 (0-5.5). All patients were improved following TAA. Radiographic evaluation demonstrated no evidence of component malalignment or ankle joint incongruity. There were no intraoperative complications nor any wound complications. Three patients returned to the operating room for placement of medial malleolar screw placement, and 1 had asymptomatic tibial component subsidence. Conclusions: Orthopedic surgeons with a proper background and updated training may be able to perform TAA with good outcomes. A TAA program was developed to define minimum training criteria to perform this procedure in our community. Our complication rate is consistent with those reported in the literature for experienced TAA centers, which contrasts previous literature suggesting increased complication rates and worse outcomes when surgeons perform initial TAAs. Utilization of an orthopedic co-surgeon was felt to be instrumental in the success of the program. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0027
Author(s):  
Shahin Kayum ◽  
Timothy R. Daniels ◽  
Ryan M. Khan

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Outpatient total joint arthroplasty (OTJA) allows for a safe, cost effective pathway for appropriately selected patients. Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical procedure commonly used for patients with painful arthritis. As the number of TAA procedures increase, so does the associated economic burden. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty, who were discharged on the same day as undergoing surgery. These patients have stayed in the hospital for <12 hours, and are referred to as ‘‘outpatients.’’ Outpatients were evaluated with regard to the following outcomes: (1) postoperative pain; (2) perioperative complications and healthcare provider visits (readmission). We also assessed patients’ satisfaction regarding discharge on the same day as surgery. Methods: The medical records of 46 consecutive TAA outpatients from July 2018 to June 2019 with a minimum 1 month post- operative follow-up, were reviewed. All patients received an Integra Cadence TAA. Prior to surgery, all patients received popliteal blocks. Patients were discharged home with a popliteal catheter, which they were to remove themselves after 48 hours. After removal of the catheter, patients were prescribed oral pain medication to help with any pain or discomfort. The following data was collected: demographics, comorbidities, (ASA) class, and perioperative complications, including wound breakdown, infection, revision and non-revision surgeries. At their 1-month post-operative visit, patients completed a questionnaire regarding their satisfaction post-surgery, which consisted of six questions. Results: There were no readmissions for pain control, no signs of wound infection among the 46 outpatients. All patients were ‘very satisfied’ with the surgical procedure and with recommend methods of pain control. The majority of patients were also very satisfied with discharge on the same day as surgery with the exception of patients who would have liked to stay overnight. When asked if they would recommend the care they experienced to a friend with the same condition, 46 patients said that they would definitely recommend this process to a friend. In terms of rating their pain on a scale of 0-10 (0 being no pain, 10 being worst pain imaginable), the average score for the 46 patients was 2.03. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the safety of outpatient TAA. The combination of regional anesthesia and oral narcotics provided a satisfactory outpatient experience and no readmissions for pain control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0021
Author(s):  
Amanda N. Fletcher ◽  
Gregory F. Pereira ◽  
Mark E. Easley ◽  
James A. Nunley ◽  
James K. DeOrio

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: The utilization of total ankle arthroplasty has increased over the past decade, including bilateral TARs. The risk-benefit profiles of staged versus simultaneous joint arthroplasty continues to be debated in the literature. Previous studies of the hip and knee have demonstrated simultaneous bilateral surgery is associated with shorter hospitalization, shorter recovery and rehabilitation time, and decreased cost without increasing perioperative morbidity or mortality. There are limited case series reporting outcomes after bilateral TAR with no previous comparison of simultaneous versus staged TAR. Thus, we aim to compare our experience with bilateral simultaneous versus staged TARs including perioperative complications and patient reported outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 62 patients (124 ankles) undergoing primary TAA (CPT 27702) from 2008 at a single academic center. Inclusion criteria were primary bilateral TAA performed in staged or simultaneous fashion in patients over the age of 18 years-old. Exclusion criteria were patients with less than one-year follow-up. Patient demographics, comorbidities, concomitant procedures, perioperative complications, and patient reported outcomes were also collected. Patient reported outcomes included preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the Foot and Ankle disability Index (FADI) score, and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) bother and function sub-scores. Every patient had separate outcome scores available for each ankle. Univariate and multivariable tests of significance were used to relate patient and operative characteristics to outcomes. Separate subgroup analyses were performed comparing stages versus simultaneous surgeries. Results: The mean age was 63.7 years-old with a mean duration of 40.5 months of clinical follow-up. There were no significant pre-operative differences between simultaneous and staged groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, ASA classification, or arthritis etiology (p>0.05). The majority (54.5%) of patients had primary or secondary arthritis. Comorbidities were similar between the two groups with the exception of the simultaneous cohort having a higher proportion of previous smokers (56.3 vs 26.1, p=0.0020) and coronary artery disease (19.8 vs 6.5, 0.0447). There was no difference in perioperative complications between the groups(p= 0.4652). Both cohorts significantly improved in all reported patient reported outcomes at final follow-up (<0.001) without a difference in overall improvement between groups (p >0.05) (Table 1). Conclusion: The prevalence of osteoarthritis (primary arthritis) and inflammatory arthritis (secondary arthritis) was higher in patients with bilateral end-stage arthritis necessitating a TAR than previous reports of unilateral TAR. The results of bilateral simultaneous TAA, including perioperative complications and patient reported outcomes, are comparable to patients undergoing staged TAA. We advocate that simultaneous bilateral TAA is a safe and effective method the treatment of bilateral end-stage ankle osteoarthritis in a setting where experienced surgeons are available. Potential benefits of simultaneous TAR for further investigation include decreased: anesthesia events, surgery time, length of hospitalization, recovery and rehabilitation time, and overall cost. [Table: see text]


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0015
Author(s):  
Kristin C. Caolo ◽  
Scott J. Ellis ◽  
Jonathan T. Deland ◽  
Constantine A. Demetracopoulos

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Surgeons who perform a higher volume of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) are known to have decreased complication rates; evidence shows that low volume centers performing TAA have decreased survivorship when compared with high volume centers. Understanding differences in outcomes for patients traveling different distances for their TAA is important for future patients deciding where to travel for their surgery. No study has previously examined differences in outcomes of patients traveling different distances to a high volume center for their TAA. This study compares preoperative and postoperative PROMIS scores for patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty who traveled less than and more than 50 miles for their TAA. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in outcome scores based on distance traveled or estimated drive time. Methods: This study is a single center retrospective review of 162 patients undergoing primary total ankle arthroplasty between January 2016 and December 2018. We collected the primary address as listed in the patient’s medical record and used the directions feature on Google Maps to estimate driving mileage and estimated driving time from the patient’s address to the hospital. To analyze the distance patients traveled, patients were divided into two groups: <50 miles traveled (n=91) and >50 miles traveled (n=71). To analyze the estimated drive time, patients were divided into two groups: <90 minutes (n=77), >90 minutes (n=85). We collected preoperative and most recent postoperative PROMIS scores for all patients. Differences in most recent post-operative PROMIS scores between distance groups and travel time groups were assessed using multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for the pre-operative score and follow-up time. Results: We found no significant difference in post-operative PROMIS scores between the two groups when analyzed for distance traveled or for estimated travel time after adjustment for pre-operative PROMIS score and follow-up time (Table 1). The average follow-up for all 162 patients was 1.49 years. Power analysis showed that with a sample size of 110 (55 in each group), we had 81% power to detect an effect size of 4. Patients saw an increase in their Physical Function scores and a decrease in their Pain Interference and Pain Intensity scores with postoperative scores better than population means (Table 1). Overall complication rate for the <50 miles group was 17.6%, 7.7% required surgery. The >50 miles group had an overall complication rate of 24.0%, 9.9% required surgery. Conclusion: Patients traveling further distances to a high volume orthopedic specialty hospital for their total ankle arthroplasty do not have different clinical outcomes than patients traveling shorter distances. This is particularly important for patients deciding where to have their total ankle arthroplasty surgery. Patients who travel further have the opportunity to be treated at a local academic center; however our results show that outcomes do not change when traveling further for total ankle arthroplasty. [Table: see text]


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1519-1528
Author(s):  
Jonathan Day ◽  
Jaeyoung Kim ◽  
Martin J. O’Malley ◽  
Constantine A. Demetracopoulos ◽  
Jonathan Garfinkel ◽  
...  

Background: The Salto Talaris is a fixed-bearing implant first approved in the US in 2006. While early surgical outcomes have been promising, mid- to long-term survivorship data are limited. The aim of this study was to present the survivorship and causes of failure of the Salto Talaris implant, with functional and radiographic outcomes. Methods: Eighty-seven prospectively followed patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty with the Salto Talaris between 2007 and 2015 at our institution were retrospectively identified. Of these, 82 patients (85 ankles) had a minimum follow-up of 5 (mean, 7.1; range, 5-12) years. The mean age was 63.5 (range, 42-82) years and the mean body mass index was 28.1 (range, 17.9-41.2) kg/m2. Survivorship was determined by incidence of revision, defined as removal/exchange of a metal component. Preoperative, immediate, and minimum 5-year postoperative AP and lateral weightbearing radiographs were reviewed; tibiotalar alignment (TTA) and the medial distal tibial angle (MDTA) were measured to assess coronal talar and tibial alignment, respectively. The sagittal tibial angle (STA) was measured; the talar inclination angle (TIA) was measured to evaluate for radiographic subsidence of the implant, defined as a change in TIA of 5 degrees or more from the immediately to the latest postoperative lateral radiograph. The locations of periprosthetic cysts were documented. Preoperative and minimum 5-year postoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) subscales were compared. Results: Survivorship was 97.6% with 2 revisions. One patient underwent tibial and talar component revision for varus malalignment of the ankle; another underwent talar component revision for aseptic loosening and subsidence. The rate of other reoperations was 21.2% ( n = 18), with the main reoperation being exostectomy with debridement for ankle impingement ( n = 12). At final follow-up, the average TTA improved 4.4 (± 3.8) degrees, the average MDTA improved 3.4 (± 2.6) degrees, and the average STA improved 5.3 (± 4.5) degrees. Periprosthetic cysts were observed in 18 patients, and there was no radiographic subsidence. All FAOS subscales demonstrated significant improvement at final follow-up. Conclusions: We found the Salto Talaris implant to be durable, consistent with previous studies of shorter follow-up lengths. We observed significant improvement in radiographic alignment as well as patient-reported clinical outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 948-954
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Kanzaki ◽  
Nobuaki Chinzei ◽  
Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽  
Takahiro Yamashita ◽  
Kazuyuki Ibaraki ◽  
...  

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has been developed to treat patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA). However, there is often difficulty in treating complicated pathologies such as ankle OA with subtalar joint OA and severe talar collapse. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the short-term results and complications of TAA with total talar prosthesis, known as combined TAA, as the new techniques to treat such complicated pathology. Methods: We examined postoperative results including ankle range of motion, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) scale, and complications. There were 22 patients (15 women), with mean follow-up of 34.9 (range, 24–53 months), and the mean age was 72 (range, 62–80) years. The main indications for combined TAA included osteoarthritis (18 patients), rheumatoid arthritis (3 patients), and talar osteonecrosis with osteoarthritis (one patient). Results: The mean range of motion improved from 4.0 to 14.4 degrees in dorsiflexion and from 23.8 to 32.0 degrees in plantarflexion. The JSSF scale improved from 50.5 to 91.5 points. Prolonged wound healing occurred in 3 patients, and medial malleolus fracture occurred in 4 patients. Conclusion: Combined TAA was a reliable procedure for the treatment of not only ankle OA following avascular necrosis of talus but also of degeneration of both ankle and subtalar joints. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


2020 ◽  
pp. 193864002091312
Author(s):  
Gregory C. Berlet ◽  
Roberto A. Brandão ◽  
Devon Consul ◽  
Pierce Ebaugh ◽  
Christopher F. Hyer

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty is a viable option for the treatment of end stage ankle arthritis. The purpose of this study is to report on the mid-term results with a cemented total ankle prosthesis, the Inbone™ II implant over a 5 year period. Methods: A retrospective, single-center chart and radiographic review of all patients with end stage ankle arthritis treated with Inbone™ II TAR) as the primary index procedure from 12/1/2012 to 3/1/2017. Clinical data were evaluated at 3 month, 6 month, 1 year and subsequent intervals for the study period. Preoperative diagnosis, pertinent patient demographics adjunctive procedures, implant associated complications, subsequent surgeries, and revisions were recorded. Results: 121 total ankles met our inclusion criteria. Patients had an INBONE™ II TAR implant placed with bone cement with a minimum of a 12 months follow up. Average age was 62.88 (range, 32-87) years, average body mass index was 32.74 (range, 21.8-56.04) kg/m2 and average follow up was 28.51(range, 12-69) months. Using the COFAS complication classification there were 14 minor, 11 moderate, and 5 major complications. 6/121 (5.0%) revisions which included: polyethylene exchange, device explant/fusion, and antibiotic spacer in situ. No complications over the course of this study ended in amputation. Conclusion: Total Ankle Arthroplasty utilizing the cemented INBONE™ II yielded good midterm results with regards to minor, moderate, and major complications. Rate of revision 6/121 (5.0%) was within the reported range with only 5 patients converted to fusion during the study period resulting in a 95% survivability at mid-term follow up. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective case series


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 247301142110578
Author(s):  
Shahin Kayum ◽  
Sahil Kooner ◽  
Ryan M. Khan ◽  
Mansur Halai ◽  
Adam Awoke ◽  
...  

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical procedure commonly reserved for patients suffering from symptomatic end-stage ankle arthritis. As the number of TAAs increases, so does the associated economic burden. Given these economic constraints, there has been interest in the feasibility of outpatient TAA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and satisfaction of patients undergoing outpatient TAA. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of consecutive patients who underwent outpatient TAA from July 2018 to June 2019. Inclusion criteria included any patient undergoing a primary TAA in the outpatient setting. This was defined as discharge on the same day of surgery or within 12 hours of surgery. All surgeries were completed by a single experienced surgeon through an anterior approach using the Cadence Total Ankle System. Prior to surgery, all patients received a popliteal nerve block. Patients were then discharged home with oral analgesic and a popliteal nerve catheter, which they removed after 48 hours. The primary outcome of interest was postoperative pain control, which was measured using a numeric scale. Secondary outcomes included complication rate, readmission rate, and patient satisfaction. A review of the current literature was then completed to supplement our results. Results: In total, 41 patients were included in our analysis. In terms of the primary outcome, the average numeric scale score was 1.98, indicating excellent pain control. Additionally, nearly all 41 patients stated they were very satisfied with their postoperative pain control regimen. In terms of secondary outcomes, the majority of patients stated they were satisfied with discharge on the same day as surgery. There were no readmissions or major complications in our outpatient TAA cohort. When asked if they would recommend the care they experienced to a friend with the same condition, 95% of patients said that they would recommend this care pathway. Our literature review included 5 original studies, which were all retrospective level IV studies. These studies uniformly demonstrated the safety and efficacy of outpatient TAA. Conclusions: The results of our study demonstrate the outpatient TAA is associated with excellent pain control using a multidisciplinary pain approach. The use of standardized outpatient postoperative pathways was effective in preventing readmissions and complications, while still resulting in high patient satisfaction scores. A review of the literature complemented our results, as there are largely no significant differences between outpatient and inpatient TAA. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gun-Woo Lee ◽  
Keun-Bae Lee

Abstract Background: Total ankle arthroplasty has progressed as a treatment option for patients with ankle osteoarthritis. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of gender on the outcome. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate outcomes, survivorship, and complications rates of total ankle arthroplasty, according to gender differences. Methods: This study included 187 patients (195 ankles) that underwent mobile-bearing HINTEGRA prosthesis at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (range, 4 to 14). The two groups consisted of a men’s group (106 patients, 109 ankles) and a women’s group (81 patients, 86 ankles). Average age was 64.4 years (range, 45 to 83). Results: Clinical scores on the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale for pain and disability, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score improved and the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups at the final follow-up. There were no significant differences in complication rates and implant survivorship between the two groups. The overall survival rate was 96.4% in men and 93.4% in women at a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (p=0.621). Conclusions: Clinical outcomes, complication rates, and survivorship of total ankle arthroplasty were comparable between men and women. These results suggest that gender did not seem affect outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty in patients with ankle osteoarthritis.


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