Skip to main content

Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Has Fewer Complications

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 15, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2024 -- Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) is associated with fewer complications but higher average total cost than conventional TKA (cTKA), according to a study recently published online in Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.

Vikram A. Aggarwal, from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and colleagues used data from the National Inpatient Sample Database Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (2016 to 2019) to examine differences in cost and outcomes for patients undergoing rTKA and cTKA.

The researchers found that compared with cTKA patients, rTKA patients had lower average length of stay (1.91 days) and higher average total cost ($67,133.34). Benefits were seen for fewer complications, including reduced periprosthetic infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.027), periprosthetic dislocation (OR,  0.117), periprosthetic mechanical complication (OR,  0.315), pulmonary embolism (OR, 0.358), transfusion (OR, 0.366), pneumonia (OR, 0.468), deep vein thrombosis (OR, 0.479), and blood loss anemia (OR, 0.728). Findings persisted even after propensity matching.

"Identifying patient-specific factors that place them at risk for increased complications with cTKA as opposed to rTKA could provide surgeons insight on the method of TKA that maximizes patient outcomes while minimizing health care cost," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted May 2024

Read this next

ASCO: Neoadjuvant Ipilimumab + Nivolumab Ups Survival in Resectable Melanoma

WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2024 -- Neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab followed by surgery results in longer event-free survival than surgery followed by adjuvant nivolumab among...

Odds of Death Lower With Surgery for Hip Fracture in Patients With Dementia

MONDAY, June 3, 2024 -- For community-dwelling patients with dementia and fracture of the femoral head and neck, the odds of death are lower for those treated surgically...

Emergency Inguinal Hernia Surgery Rates Increased With Lower Country Income

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, emergency surgery rates increase from high- to low-income countries, according to a study published online...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.