Purpose
To use a population-level dataset to evaluate the rate of 30-day complications after
rotator cuff repair, and to evaluate the risk factors for complication and unplanned
hospital readmission.
Methods
We used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
from 2011 to 2015 to identify patients who underwent rotator cuff repair and concomitant
procedures using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Postoperative complications
and unplanned hospital readmissions were identified. Patient demographics, medical
comorbidities, and perioperative variables were used in a multivariate logistic regression
model to identify the risk factors for infection, any complication, and unplanned
hospital readmission.
Results
A total of 23,741 patients were identified who underwent rotator cuff repair. Overall,
1.39% of patients experienced at least 1 complication, with 0.66% minor complications
and 0.85% major complications. Unplanned readmission occurred in 1.16% of patients.
Infection was the most common complication, occurring in 0.3% of patients (n = 72),
and was the most common reason for return to the operating room. Open rotator cuff
repair and male gender were independent risk factors for all outcomes. Increased age
and numerous medical comorbidities were associated with the risk of any complication
or unplanned hospital readmission.
Conclusions
Rotator cuff repair has a low incidence of short-term complications. Infection was
the most common complication. Open repair, male gender, increased age, and medical
comorbidities all significantly increased the risk of complications and hospital readmission.
Level of Evidence
Level IV, case series.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 12, 2017
Accepted:
October 15,
2017
Received:
July 25,
2017
Footnotes
See commentary on page 1164
The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this article. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online, as supplementary material.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America
ScienceDirect
Access this article on ScienceDirectLinked Article
- Editorial Commentary: Complications of Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair Are Relevant in Modern Health CareArthroscopyVol. 34Issue 4
- PreviewUnderstanding the type and rate of complications after shoulder rotator cuff repair could help surgeons to focus their quality improvement efforts. This is of great current relevance because value in health care is defined as the ratio of outcomes over cost, and complications increase cost significantly. A particular focus could be on lowering the rate of complications associated with “riskier” patients and “riskier” surgical techniques.
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