Primary total knee arthroplasties under the Brazilian Public Health Unic System (SUS) - Number of procedures, regional distribution, hospitalization costs, average length of hospital stay and mortality (2012-2021)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the number and regional distribution of hospital admission authorization (AIH), hospitalization costs, average length of stay (LOS), and mortality rates related to primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures funded by the Brazilian Public Health Unic System (SUS) from 2012 to 2021. A cross-sectional descriptive study on the number and regional distribution of AIH, hospitalization costs, average LOS, and mortality rates related to primary TKA procedures funded by the SUS from 2012 to 2021 was done. As results, 65,602 AIH were released in the evaluated period; in 2020 and 2021 there was a sharp decrease of procedures, probably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The total value spent in the evaluated period was of 271,297,010.60 BRL. The average LOS was of 4.15 days. The absolute number of deaths was of 103, with 0.16% of mortality rate. It was concluded that the number and regional distribution of AIH was of 37,370 (57%) to the Southeast; 18,907 (29%) to the South, 5,250 (8%) to the Northeast; 2,758 (4%) to the Midwest and 1,317 (2%) to the North, totaling 65,602 admissions, with a total expenditure of 271,297,010.60 BRL (156,252,541.60 BRL in Southeast, 77,150,946.31 BRL in South, 21,194,955.07 BRL in Northeast, 12,077,393.69 BRL in Midwest and 4,621,173.96 BRL in North). The average LOS (in days) was of 4.15 (4.15 in Southeast; 3.83 in South; 4.6 in Northeast; 4.81 in Midwest; and, 5.71 in North). The mortality rate was of 0.16% (Southeast=0,14%; South=0,1%; Northeast=0,16%; Midwest=0,17%; and North=0,14%).