Abstract
Introduction
Bilateral TKA is proven to be safe in a select group of patients. Patients with symptomatic bilateral knee arthritis who are not candidates for simultaneous bilateral TKA are subjected to staged surgery. The main objective of this study is to determine the safe window when second TKA can be performed in patients requiring bilateral TKA
Methods
Retrospective study includes bilateral TKA cases performed in a single institution between 2000–2018. A cohort of simultaneous bilateral TKA (n=2728) was compared to cohort of staged bilateral TKA (n=1660). Outcomes in terms of complications, reoperation, 30 days readmission and cumulative revision rates were compared between the two groups using both non-adjusted and adjusted models.
Results
In-hospital complication rates were lower in the staged TKA group in both adjusted model (OR 0.59:0.48 – 0.72)(p <0.001), and unadjusted model (OR 0.54:0.47–0.63)(p<0.001). Although DVT rates were similar between both groups, odds of PE were higher in the simultaneous BTKA group (1.91% vs 0.54%)(p< 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in reoperation rate between the groups both in the adjusted and unadjusted analyses. All causes revision rate in simultaneous TKA was significantly higher at 6.41% vs 2.35% for the staged TKA gr (OR 0.35 P<0.001). However, revision due to deep infection was higher in the staged group. No difference in complication rate after the 2nd surgery was detected when staging TKA was done less than 90 days apart compared to staging > 90 days (80.2% vs 79 %)(p=0.885)
Conclusion
This single institution study demonstrates that bilateral TKA performed under the same anesthesia is associated with more complications and revisions than when compared to staged bilateral TKA. Furthermore, performing the second stage TKA under 90 days after the 1st TKA was not associated with more complications. Therefore performing simultaneous BTKA, simply for convenience, is not warranted.
