Demographics and surgery-related complications lead to 30-day readmission rates among knee arthroscopic procedures

Purpose The study objectives were (1) to evaluate risk factors related to 30-day hospital readmissions after arthroscopic knee surgeries and (2) to determine the complications that may arise from surgery. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database data from 2012 to 2017 were researched. Patients were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes for knee arthroscopic procedures. Ordinal logistic fit regression and decision tree analysis were used to examine study objectives. Results There were 83,083 knee arthroscopic procedures between 2012 and 2017 obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The overall readmission rate was 0.87%. The complication rates were highest for synovectomy and cartilage procedures, 1.6% and 1.3% respectively. A majority of readmissions were related to the procedure (71.1%) with wound complications being the primary reason (28.2%) followed by pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, 12.7% and 10.6%, respectively. Gender and body mass index were not significant factors and age over 65 years was an independent risk factor. Wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism were the most prevalent complications. Conclusion Healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to modify treatment plans based on patient risk factors. For patients who are at higher risk of inferior surgical outcomes, clinicians should carefully weigh risk factors when considering surgical and non-surgical approaches. Level of evidence III.