Length of stay after primary total knee arthroplasty in Hong Kong: a retrospective review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There was variation in the length of hospital stay (LOS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in different countries. This study aimed to review the mean LOS after TKA in public hospitals in Hong Kong. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the mean LOS of patients undergoing primary TKA between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014 in public hospitals in Hong Kong were retrospectively retrieved and analysed from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System of the Hospital Authority (HA). RESULTS: A total of 8818 patients underwent primary TKA, and their mean LOS was 13.6 days (range, 7.7-23.9 days) in 15 HA hospitals over the study period. The mean LOS was decreasing over the study period (15.8 days in 2011, 14.1 days in 2012, 12.6 days in 2013, and 12.2 days in 2014). Only 2 hospitals had a mean LOS of <10 days, 9 hospitals ranged from 10 to 20 days, and 4 hospitals had that >20 days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study showed the mean LOS after TKA was 13.6 days, although in decreasing trend, which was still higher than that reported in western literature, and there was also high variation in mean LOS. With limited resources, but higher demand for TKA because of ageing population in Hong Kong, it is important to review present perioperative care so as to improve the clinical efficiency and enhance patient’s recovery without jeopardising patient’s safety and clinical outcomes after TKA.