RISK FACTORS FOR EARLY HOSPITAL READMISSION FOLLOWING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Objective: To identify independent risk factors, complications and early hospital readmission following total knee arthroplas- ty. Methods: Using the ACS-NSQIP database, we identified patients who underwent primary TK A from 2012-2015. The primar y outcome was early hospital readmission. Patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, laboratory data, operative characteristics, and postoperative complications were compared between readmitted and non-readmitted patients. Logistic regression identified independent risk factors for 30-day readmission. Results: 137,209 patients underwent TK A; 3.4% were readmitted within 30 days. Advanced age, male sex, black ethnicity, morbid obesity, presence of preoperative comorbidi- ties, high ASA classification, and increased operative time were independently related risk factors. Asian and no reported race were negative risk factors. Postoperative complications: acute myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, stroke, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis show positive associations. Conclusions: Advanced age, male sex, black ethnicity, morbid obesity, presence of comorbidities, high ASA classification and long operative time are independent risk factors for postoperative complications and early hospital read- mission following total knee arthroplasty. Level of Evidence III, Case control study