846 Are Patients with Higher BMIs Requiring A Prolonged Inpatient Stay After Elective Arthroplastic Hip and Knee Operations?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Obesity affects an increasing proportion of orthopaedic patients. Arthroplasties on this sub-population are associated with increased complications(anatomical issues to peri-operative complications/infection). It is postulated patients with increased BMI have longer inpatient stay. Is this the case in our elective orthopaedic department at Fairfield General Hospital? Is there a basis to implement a BMI cut-off for arthroplasties? Method A single centre case-control study in our elective unit including patients who had primary total hip and knee arthroplasties (unicompartmental knee arthroplasties were excluded). Patients were analysed over a 3-month period(January 2019 – March 2019) collating data including their BMI, date of procedure, and discharge date. Results 227 patients included with BMI ranging from 14.4 to 57.6 Inpatient days for the separate BMI classes : Pearson’s correlation coefficient R = 0.134 - a weakly positive correlation between BMI and inpatient stay. Conclusions Interestingly, these results suggest there is no basis to implement a cut-off value for BMI. Further research would be useful, detailing the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative issues those with an increased BMI may face. Further research would be useful, detailing the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative issues those with an increased BMI may face.