Identifying appropriate candidates for ambulatory outpatient shoulder arthroplasty: validation of a patient selection algorithm

Abstract

Outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is increasing in frequency, but the selection of patients who are appropriate outpatient joint candidates remains challenging. We propose an algorithm for selecting outpatient TSA candidates, with validation by a cohort of patients from an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). We identified 61 patients who had primary anatomic and reverse TSA. The selection algorithm, which stratifies patients referable to their age and cardiopulmonary comorbidities, was used to choose patients for outpatient surgery. Complications, including cardiopulmonary, thromboembolic, and postoperative wound problems, were recorded. All 61 patients were discharged from the ASC on the day of surgery. There were no cardiopulmonary events requiring intervention or hospital admission. One patient (2%) required a secondary operation, 3 patients (5%) experienced acute surgical complications, 3 patients (5%) had transient postoperative nausea, and 4 patients (7%) had additional complications within the 90-day episode of care. This study is the first to propose a patient selection method for outpatient TSA. Using this algorithm for patient selection produced a low rate of perioperative complications and no hospital admissions. We suggest this algorithm provides an evidence-based method for the standardization of outpatient TSA candidate selection.