Perioperative challenges in the surgical management of ankylosing spondylitis

✓ Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who present with spinal lesions are at an increased risk for developing perioperative complications. Due to the rigid yet brittle nature of the ankylosed spines commonly occurring with severe spinal deformity, patients are more prone to developing neurological deficits. Such risks are potentially increased not only during surgical manipulation or deformity correction, but also during image acquisition, positioning within the operating room, and intubation. In this review the complications of AS are reviewed, and recommendations are provided to avoid problems during each stage of patient management.

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Perioperative outcomes associated with thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomies for adult spinal deformity patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2018.11.spine18927 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 822-832

Author(s):

Cecilia L. Dalle Ore ◽

Christopher P. Ames ◽

Vedat Deviren ◽

Darryl Lau

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Perioperative Outcomes ◽

Medical Complications ◽

Filter Placement ◽

Estimated Blood Loss

OBJECTIVESpinal deformity causing spinal imbalance is directly correlated to pain and disability. Prior studies suggest adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have more complex deformities and are at higher risk for complications. In this study the authors compared outcomes of ASD patients with RA following thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomies to outcomes of a matched control cohort.METHODSAll patients with RA who underwent 3-column osteotomy for thoracolumbar deformity correction performed by the senior author from 2006 to 2016 were identified retrospectively. A cohort of patients without RA who underwent 3-column osteotomies for deformity correction was matched based on multiple clinical factors. Data regarding demographics and surgical approach, along with endpoints including perioperative outcomes, reoperations, and incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) were reviewed. Univariate analyses were used to compare patients with RA to matched controls.RESULTSEighteen ASD patients with RA were identified, and a matched cohort of 217 patients was generated. With regard to patients with RA, 11.1% were male and the mean age was 68.1 years. Vertebral column resection (VCR) was performed in 22.2% and pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in 77.8% of patients. Mean case length was 324.4 minutes and estimated blood loss (EBL) was 2053.6 ml. Complications were observed in 38.9% of patients with RA and 29.0% of patients without RA (p = 0.380), with a trend toward increased medical complications (38.9% vs 21.2%, p = 0.084). Patients with RA had a significantly higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) (11.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.017) and wound infections (16.7% vs 5.1%, p = 0.046). PJK occurred in 16.7% of patients with RA, and 33.3% of RA patients underwent reoperation. Incidence rates of PJK and reoperation in matched controls were 12.9% and 25.3%, respectively (p = 0.373, p = 0.458). At follow-up, mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was 6.1 cm in patients with RA and 4.5 cm in matched controls (p = 0.206).CONCLUSIONSFindings from this study suggest that RA patients experience a higher incidence of medical complications, specifically DVT/PE. Preoperative lower-extremity ultrasounds, inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, and/or early initiation of DVT prophylaxis in RA patients may be indicated. Perioperative complications, morbidity, and long-term outcomes are otherwise similar to non-RA patients.

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Loss of temperature and pain sensation as risk marker of neurological complications in surgical correction of severe spinal deformity

Pediatric Traumatology Orthopaedics and Reconstructive Surgery ◽

10.17816/ptors545-15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 5-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elena N. Shchurova ◽

Marat S. Saifutdinov ◽

Sergei O. Ryabykh

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Neurological Complications ◽

Surgical Correction ◽

Type I ◽

Spinal Deformities ◽

Response Type ◽

Type V ◽

Severe Spinal Deformity

Background. Treatment of severe spinal deformity remains a challenging surgical problem, with an iatrogenic injury to the spinal cord being a critical complication. There is a high risk of neurological deficit following surgical correction of a severe spinal deformity. Aim. To determine the relationship between the extent of disturbed thermal and pain sensations at Th1-S2 dermatomas and the intensity of the spinal cord pathways’ responses to surgical correction of the severe spinal deformity. Material and methods. We reviewed 58 patients with severe spinal deformities of different etiologies (mean age, 15.7±0.8 years). All patients underwent surgical deformity correction followed by thoracic/thoracolumbar spine fixation by using a variety of internal transpedicular fixations. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) with transcranial motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) was used during operative interventions. Preoperative and postoperative thermal and pain sensations were assessed in Th1-S2 dermatomas to the right and left by using an electrical aesthesiometer. Results. The extent of disturbed preoperative and postoperative thermal and pain sensations in Th1-S2 dermatomas before and after correction of spinal deformities correlated with the response type scale (I–V) of the spinal cord pathways to the surgical correction we offered. Correlation between the response type and characteristics of thermal and pain sensations was mostly revealed by the test results for the thermal pain threshold (thermal analgesia). The incidence of postoperative thermal analgesia increased monotonically from patients with response type I (persistent MEP form and amplitude-time parameters close to the baseline) to patients with response type V (higher risk of neurological complications). The overall rate of thermal analgesia increased after surgical correction of the spinal deformity relative to the baseline and was higher (≤8%) in patients with response type V. Conclusions. Surgeons and neurophysiologists who perform IONM should give careful attention to patients with severe spinal deformity who exhibit marked postoperative thermal analgesia.

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The surgical treatment of spinal deformity in children with non-ambulatory myelomeningocele

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.103b6.bjj-2020-2158.r1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 103-B (6) ◽

pp. 1133-1141

Author(s):

Athanasios I. Tsirikos ◽

Sarah J. Wordie

Keyword(s):

Spinal Fusion ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Functional Improvement ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Anterior Spinal Fusion ◽

High Level ◽

Prolonged Hospital ◽

The Impact

Aims To report the outcome of spinal deformity correction through anterior spinal fusion in wheelchair-bound patients with myelomeningocele. Methods We reviewed 12 consecutive patients (7M:5F; mean age 12.4 years (9.2 to 16.8)) including demographic details, spinopelvic parameters, surgical correction, and perioperative data. We assessed the impact of surgery on patient outcomes using the Spina Bifida Spine Questionnaire and a qualitative questionnaire. Results The mean follow-up was 5.4 years (2 to 14.9). Nine patients had kyphoscoliosis, two lordoscoliosis, and one kyphosis. All patients had a thoracolumbar deformity. Mean scoliosis corrected from 89.6° (47° to 151°) to 46.5° (17° to 85°; p < 0.001). Mean kyphosis corrected from 79.5° (40° to 135°) to 49° (36° to 65°; p < 0.001). Mean pelvic obliquity corrected from 19.5° (8° to 46°) to 9.8° (0° to 20°; p < 0.001). Coronal and sagittal balance restored to normal. Complication rate was 58.3% (seven patients) with no neurological deficits, implant failure, or revision surgery. The degree of preoperative spinal deformity, especially kyphosis and lordosis, correlated with increased blood loss and prolonged hospital/intensive care unit stay. The patients reported improvement in function, physical appearance, and pain after surgery. The parents reported decrease in need for everyday care. Conclusion Anterior spinal fusion achieved satisfactory deformity correction with high perioperative complication rates, but no long-term sequelae among children with high level myelomeningocele. This resulted in physical and functional improvement and high reported satisfaction. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1133–1141.

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Evaluation of complications and neurological deficits with three-column spine reconstructions for complex spinal deformity: a retrospective Scoli-RISK-1 study

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2014.2.focus1419 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. E17 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Michael P. Kelly ◽

Lawrence G. Lenke ◽

Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽

Christopher P. Ames ◽

Leah Y. Carreon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Loss ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Neurological Injury ◽

Medical Complications ◽

Medical Complication ◽

Estimated Blood Loss ◽

Surgical Data

Object The goal in this study was to evaluate the risk factors for complications, including new neurological deficits, in the largest cohort of patients with adult spinal deformity to date. Methods The Scoli-RISK-1 inclusion criteria were used to identify eligible patients from 5 centers who were treated between June 1, 2009, and June 1, 2011. Records were reviewed for patient demographic information, surgical data, and reports of perioperative complications. Neurological deficits were recorded as preexisting or as new deficits. Patients who underwent 3-column osteotomies (3COs) were compared with those who did not (posterior spinal fusion [PSF]). Between-group comparisons were performed using independent samples t-tests and chi-square analyses. Results Two hundred seven patients were identified—75 who underwent PSF and 132 treated with 3CO. In the latter group, patients were older (58.9 vs 49.4 years, p < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (29.0 vs 25.8, p = 0.029), smaller preoperative coronal Cobb measurements (33.8° vs 56.4°, p < 0.001), more preoperative sagittal malalignment (11.7 cm vs 5.4 cm, p < 0.001), and similar sagittal Cobb measurements (45.8° vs 57.7°, p = 0.113). Operating times were similar (393 vs 423 minutes, p = 0.130), although patients in the 3CO group sustained higher estimated blood loss (2120 vs 1700 ml, p = 0.066). Rates of new neurological deficits were similar (PSF: 6.7% vs 3CO: 9.9%, p = 0.389), and rates of any perioperative medical complication were similar (PSF: 46.7% vs 3CO: 50.8%, p = 0.571). Patients who underwent vertebral column resection (VCR) were more likely to sustain medical complications than those treated with pedicle subtraction osteotomy (73.7% vs 46.9%, p = 0.031), although new neurological deficits were similar (15.8% vs 8.8%, p = 0.348). Regression analysis did not reveal significant predictors of neurological injury or complication from collected data. Conclusions Despite higher estimated blood loss, rates of all complications (49.3%) and new neurological deficits (8.7%) did not vary for patients who underwent complex reconstruction, whether or not a 3CO was performed. Patients who underwent VCR sustained more medical complications without an increase in new neurological deficits. Prospective studies of patient factors, provider factors, and refined surgical data are needed to define and optimize risk factors for complication and neurological deficits.

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Injuries of the cervical spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: experience at two trauma centers

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/spi.2006.5.1.33 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 33-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

Thomas Einsiedel ◽

Andreas Schmelz ◽

Markus Arand ◽

Hans-Joachim Wilke ◽

Florian Gebhard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Minor Trauma ◽

Trauma Centers ◽

Single Session ◽

Computed Tomography Scanning ◽

Anterior Posterior

Object The cervical spine in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (Bechterew disease) is exposed to maximal risk due to physical load. Even minor trauma can cause fractures because of the spine’s poor elasticity (so-called bamboo spine). The authors conducted a study to determine the characteristics of cervical fractures in patients with AS to describe the standard procedures in the treatment of this condition at two trauma centers and to discuss complications of and outcomes after treatment. Methods Between 1990 and 2006, 37 patients were surgically treated at two institutions. All patients were examined preoperatively and when being discharged from the hospital for rehabilitation. Single-session (11 cases) and two-session anterior–posterior (13 cases), anterior (11 cases), posterior (two cases), and laminectomy (one case) procedures were performed. The injury pattern, segments involved, the pre- and postoperative neurological status, and complications were analyzed. Preoperative neurological deficits were present in 36 patients. All patients experienced improvement postoperatively, and there was no case of surgery-related neurological deterioration. In patients in whom treatment was delayed because of late diagnosis, preoperative neurological deficits were more severe and improvement worse than those treated earlier. The causes of three deaths were respiratory distress syndrome due to a rigid thorax and cerebral ischemia due to rupture of the vertebral arteries. There were 12 perioperative complications (32%), three infections, one deep venous thrombosis, five early implant failures, and the three aforementioned fatalities. There were no cases of epidural hematoma. In all five cases in which early implant failure required revision surgery, the initial stabilization procedure had been anterior only. A comparison of complications and the outcomes at the two centers revealed no significant differences. Conclusions The standard intervention for these injuries is open reduction, anterior decompression and fusion, and anterior–posterior stabilization; these procedures may be conducted in one or two stages. Based on the early implant failures that occurred exclusively after single-session anterior stabilizations (five of 10—a failure rate of 50%), the authors have performed only posterior and anterior procedures since 1997 at both centers. Diagnostic investigations include computed tomography scanning or magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine, because additional injuries are common. The causative trauma may be very slight, and diagnosis may be delayed because plain radiographs can be initially misinterpreted. In cases in which diagnosis is delayed, patients present with more severe neurological deficits, and postoperative improvement is less pronounced than that in patients in whom a prompt diagnosis is established. Because of postoperative pulmonary and ischemic complications, the mortality rate is high. In the present series the mortality rate was lower than the mean rate reported in the literature.

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Does the Change of Acetabular Anteversion Result From Lumbar Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy in Ankylosing Spondylitis-Related Kyphosis After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/21925682211004920 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822110049

Author(s):

Shi-zhou Zhao ◽

Bang-ping Qian ◽

Ji-chen Huang ◽

Mu Qiao ◽

Bin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Total Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Hip Arthroplasty ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy ◽

Acetabular Anteversion ◽

Thoracolumbar Kyphosis ◽

Postoperative Change ◽

Lumbar Pedicle

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objectives: To analyze the change in acetabular anteversion (AA) after lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis who have already undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: AS patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis following lumbar PSO from January 2005 to January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Only the patients performed with THA prior to the PSO were included. AA was measured on the full-length standing posterior-anterior radiographs using the ellipse method. Results: Twenty patients (34 hips) with a mean age of 36.8 years (range, 22 to 63 years) were included. After lumbar PSO, AA was reduced from 18.59° to 5.85° ( P < 0.001). Postoperative change in AA was correlated with the spinal deformity correction. Additionally, the change in AA postoperatively was correlated with pelvic incidence (PI) (R = 0.346, P = 0.045). Although the postoperative change in sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was larger in the patients after L2 or L3 PSO (153.97 mm vs 70.03 mm, P = 0.006), no difference was found in the postoperative change in AA (12.83° vs 10.96°, P = 0.540) compared with the patients following L1 PSO. Conclusions: AA was significantly decreased following lumbar PSO and the postoperative change in AA was correlated with the magnitude of spinal deformity correction. Notably, the effect of osteotomy level on the postoperative change in AA was limited in the AS patients underwent 1-level PSO.

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Posterior Displacement of L1 May be a Risk Factor for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Adult Spinal Deformity Correction

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/21925682211015651 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822110156

Author(s):

Zhuo Xi ◽

Ping-Guo Duan ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽

Jinping Liu ◽

Jeremy M.V. Guinn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thoracic Spine ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Vertical Axis ◽

Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽

Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽

Posterior Displacement ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Junctional Kyphosis

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: Overcorrection in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery may lead to proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) because of posterior spinal displacement. The aim of this paper is to determine if the L1 position relative to the gravity line (GL) is associated with PJK. Methods: ASD patients fused from the lower thoracic spine to sacrum by 4 spine surgeons at our hospital were retrospectively studied. Lumbar-only and upper thoracic spine fusions were excluded. Spinopelvic parameters, the L1 plumb line (L1PL), L1 distance to the GL (L1-GL), and Roussouly type were measured. Results: One hundred fourteen patients met inclusion criteria (63 patients with PJK, 51 without). Mean age and follow up was 65.51 and 3.39 years, respectively. There was no difference between the PJK and the non-PJK groups in baseline demographics, pre-operative and immediate post-operative pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch, sagittal vertical axis, or coronal Cobb. The immediate postoperative L1-GL was -7.24 cm in PJK and -3.45 cm in non-PJK ( P < 0.001), L1PL was 1.71 cm in PJK and 3.07 cm in non-PJK ( P = 0.004), and PT (23.76° vs 18.90°, P = 0.026) and TK (40.56° vs 31.39°, P < 0.001) were larger in PJK than in non-PJK. After univariate and multivariate analyses, immediate postoperative TK and immediate postoperative L1-GL were independent risk factors for PJK without collinearity. Conclusions: A dorsally displaced L1 relative to the GL was associated with an increased risk of PJK after ASD surgery. The postoperative L1-GL distance may be a factor to consider during ASD surgery.

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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in a Patient With Ankylosing Spondylitis With Severe Spinal Deformity

Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques ◽

10.1097/01.sle.0000174571.66301.8d ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 234-237 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Pradeep K Chowbey ◽

Rashmi Panse ◽

Rajesh Khullar ◽

Anil Sharma ◽

Vandana Soni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Severe Spinal Deformity

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The impact of surgeon experience on perioperative complications and operative measures following thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomy for adult spinal deformity: overcoming the learning curve

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2019.7.spine19656 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 207-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Darryl Lau ◽

Vedat Deviren ◽

Christopher P. Ames

Keyword(s):

Blood Loss ◽

Operative Time ◽

Surgical Complication ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Years Of Experience ◽

Surgeon Experience ◽

Operative Measures

OBJECTIVEPosterior-based thoracolumbar 3-column osteotomy (3CO) is a formidable surgical procedure. Surgeon experience and case volume are known factors that influence surgical complication rates, but these factors have not been studied well in cases of adult spinal deformity (ASD). This study examines how surgeon experience affects perioperative complications and operative measures following thoracolumbar 3CO in ASD.METHODSA retrospective study was performed of a consecutive cohort of thoracolumbar ASD patients who underwent 3CO performed by the senior authors from 2006 to 2018. Multivariate analysis was used to assess whether experience (years of experience and/or number of procedures) is associated with perioperative complications, operative duration, and blood loss.RESULTSA total of 362 patients underwent 66 vertebral column resections (VCRs) and 296 pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs). The overall complication rate was 29.4%, and the surgical complication rate was 8.0%. The rate of postoperative neurological deficits was 6.2%. There was a trend toward lower overall complication rates with greater operative years of experience (from 44.4% to 28.0%) (p = 0.115). Years of operative experience was associated with a significantly lower rate of neurological deficits (p = 0.027); the incidence dropped from 22.2% to 4.0%. The mean operative time was 310.7 minutes overall. Both increased years of experience and higher case numbers were significantly associated with shorter operative times (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Only operative years of experience was independently associated with operative times (p < 0.001): 358.3 minutes from 2006 to 2008 to 275.5 minutes in 2018 (82.8 minutes shorter). Over time, there was less deviation and more consistency in operative times, despite the implementation of various interventions to promote fusion and prevent construct failure: utilization of multiple-rod constructs (standard, satellite, and nested rods), bone morphogenetic protein, vertebroplasty, and ligament augmentation. Of note, the use of tranexamic acid did not significantly lower blood loss.CONCLUSIONSSurgeon years of experience, rather than number of 3COs performed, was a significant factor in mitigating neurological complications and improving quality measures following thoracolumbar 3CO for ASD. The 3- to 5-year experience mark was when the senior surgeon overcame a learning curve and was able to minimize neurological complication rates. There was a continuous decrease in operative time as the surgeon’s experience increased; this was in concurrence with the implementation of additional preventative surgical interventions. Ongoing practice changes should be implemented and can be done safely, but it is imperative to self-assess the risks and benefits of those practice changes.

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Improving Safety of Bilateral Knee Arthroplasty: Impact of Selection Criteria on Perioperative Outcome

HSS Journal ® ◽

10.1177/15563316211014891 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155633162110148

Author(s):

Philipp Gerner ◽

Stavros G. Memtsoudis ◽

Crispiana Cozowicz ◽

Ottokar Stundner ◽

Mark Figgie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Selection Criteria ◽

Perioperative Complications ◽

Perioperative Outcomes ◽

Cardiac Complications ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Major Complications ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Comorbidity Burden ◽

Rate Ratios

Background: Bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) procedures are associated with an increased risk of complications when compared with unilateral approaches. In 2006, in an attempt to reduce this risk, our institution implemented selection criteria that specified younger and healthier patients as candidates for BTKA. Questions/Purpose: We sought to investigate the effect of these selection criteria on perioperative outcomes. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, we used institutional data to identify patients who underwent BTKA between 1998 and 2014. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent surgery before the 2006 introduction of our selection criteria (1998–2006) and those who underwent surgery after (2007–2014). Groups were compared in terms of demographics, comorbidity burden, and incidence of perioperative complications. Regression analysis was performed, calculating incidence rate ratios to evaluate changes in complication rates. Results: Before the selection criteria were implemented in 2006, patients who underwent BTKA were older and had a higher comorbidity burden. The rate of major complications per 1000 hospital days decreased from 31.5 in 1998 to 7.9 in 2014. A reduction in cardiac complications was the most significant contributor to this decrease in major complications. Conclusion: After stringent criteria for BTKA candidates were implemented at our institution, selection of younger patients with lower comorbidity burden was accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of operative complications. This suggests that introducing such criteria can be associated with a reduction in adverse perioperative outcomes.

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