A recently published research paper by Dr. So’s team set out to identify modifiable medical comorbidities, laboratory markers, and flaws in perioperative management that may increase the risk of acute dislocation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients.
Patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database were divided into two groups: non-dislocation and dislocation patients. Statistics were performed to compare the characteristics of both cohorts and to identify risk factors for prosthetic dislocation. Elderly female patients and patients with certain abnormal preoperative laboratory values such as hypoalbuminemia and moderate/severe anemia were at increased risk of sustaining acute dislocations after index THA. Careful interdisciplinary planning and medical optimization should be considered in high-risk patients as dislocations significantly increase the risk of sepsis, cerebral vascular accident, and blood transfusions on readmission.
