Effect of Preop Nutritional Status on Outcomes of Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Association of malnutrition with postoperative complications after TKA has been reported in the form of increased rate of periprosthetic infection, longer hospital stay, etc. Reduced serum albumin and total lymphocyte count are commonly used to define malnutrition.

The goal was to evaluate the impact of the nutritional status on the outcomes of primary staged bilateral TKAs performed one-week apart during two separate hospitalizations.

Fifty consecutive patients with mean age of 67 years, mean BMI of 28.9 and 2.3 mean ASA score were followed for one year.

Prior to the first surgery 32% had a TLC <1500 cells/mm3 and 84% had a SA <3.5 g/dL. Before the second surgery 62% had a reduced TLC and all but one had a reduced SA.

Nine patients had a total of 12 perioperative blood transfusions (2 after the first surgery and 10 after the second surgery). The average length of stay was 3 days after each TKA.

None of the patients with the lowest TLC or SA before the first or the second stage had a revision.

Bilateral TKAs performed seven days apart in two separate hospitalizations is a safe and practical approach for qualified patients. The postoperative course was similar after each surgery. The preoperative nutritional status defined by TLC and SA did not influence the postoperative outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient is a male or non-pregnant female over the age of 21.
• Patient requires a bilateral staged knee arthroplasty (within 7 days)
• Patient has signed and dated an IRB approved consent form.
• Patient is able and willing to participate in the study according to the protocol for the full length of expected term of follow-up, and to follow their physician's directions.
• Patient has failed to respond to conservative treatment modalities.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient's bone stock is compromised by disease or infection, which cannot provide adequate support and/or fixation to the prosthesis.
• Patient is a prisoner.
• Surgery on the second side cancelled or delayed past 7 days by patient request subject will be terminated from the study.
• BMI >35