Foot Ankle Spec. 2023 May 6:19386400231169368. doi: 10.1177/19386400231169368. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Ankle arthritis adversely affects patients’ function and quality of life. Treatment options for end-stage ankle arthritis include total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). A 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5) has predicted adverse outcomes following multiple orthopaedic procedures; this study evaluated its suitability as a risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing TAA.
METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing TAA between 2011 and 2017. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to investigate frailty as a possible predictor of postoperative complications.
RESULTS: In total, 1035 patients were identified. When comparing patients with an mFI-5 score of 0 versus ≥2, overall complication rates significantly increased from 5.24% to 19.38%, 30-day readmission rate increased from 0.24% to 3.1%, adverse discharge rate increased from 3.81% to 15.5%, and wound complications increased from 0.24% to 1.55%. After multivariate analysis, mFI-5 score remained significantly associated with patients’ risk of developing any complication (P = .03) and 30-day readmission rate (P = .005).
CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes following TAA. The mFI-5 can help identify patients who are at an elevated risk of sustaining a complication, allowing for improved decision-making and perioperative care when considering TAA.
LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: III, Prognostic.
PMID:37148165 | DOI:10.1177/19386400231169368
