Volume–outcome relationship in revision hip replacement – Results from a low volume hospital

Abstract

IntroductionMortality and morbidity are both increased during revision hip surgery. Higher hospital procedure volumes have been associated with lower rates of mortality and/or complications according to some reports – the “practice makes perfect” hypothesis. AimThe aim of the study was to test “practice makes perfect; hypothesis with regards to revision hip surgery at our low volume hospital. MethodsThis is a retrospective study of all the patients who underwent revision hip arthroplasty under the care of the senior author between February 2002 and January 2006. Data was collected about the 30-day and one-year mortality, post-operative complications like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), superficial or deep wound infections, dislocations, and the Oxford hip score. ResultsThe rate of revision hip surgery carried out in our hospital was 6.25 per year. There was no 30-day mortality, stroke within 3 months, dislocations within one year, re-admission within one month, one-year mortality and deep infections within one year. The final outcome after revision hip surgery, based on Oxford questionnaire, showed that 72% had an excellent outcome and 8% had poor outcome. ConclusionVolume and outcome relationship may not contribute towards the final outcome when individual surgeons and hospitals are considered. Good general hospital care can greatly affect the health outcome for a particular procedure. Strategies aimed at improving the general hospital care may benefit the patients as much as volume based regionalization.