Factors independently associated with complications and length of stay after hip arthroplasty: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

By analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified factors associated with postoperative complications and increased hospital stay after total hip arthroplasty in 4281 patients. There was a minor complication rate of 2.7%, a major complication rate of 4.2%, and a mortality rate of 0.26% within 30 days of the procedure. After adjusted analysis, obesity, preoperative anemia, and longer operative time were all associated with wound complications. Preoperative anemia, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and prolonged operative time were associated with development of a major complication. A predischarge major complication resulted in an increased length of stay of 6.248 days (±0.286, P < .0001). One in 25 hip arthroplasty patients developed a major postoperative complication, and 1 in 16, a medical complication after elective hip arthroplasty.