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J Knee Surg 2020; 33(08): 750-753
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1684013
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Decreasing Incidence of Postoperative Ileus following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A 17-Year Retrospective Review of 38,007 Knee Replacements at One Institution

Bob H. Nguyen
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, Santa Clara, California
,
Olivia J. Bono
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
,
James V. Bono
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 September 2018

18 February 2019

Publication Date:
08 April 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Ileus following total knee arthroplasty is a clinically and financially significant postoperative complication that has not been extensively described in the orthopaedic joint literature. Ileus has been found to occur in 0.7 to 4.0% of patients after total joint arthroplasty. In a 17-year period (2001 fiscal year through 2017 fiscal year) at one institution, we found an incidence of 0.500% (190/38,007) following knee arthroplasty. In addition, the incidence of ileus following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has drastically declined over this 17-year period, from 1.593% (13/816) in 2001 to 0.120% (4/3,332) in 2017. This decrease may be attributed to a reduction in narcotic use postoperatively, earlier ambulation following surgery, and reduction in length of hospital stay. Though postoperative ileus is not yet a preventable complication, recognition of risk factors may permit earlier intervention to ameliorate some of the morbidity associated with this condition.

Keywords

ileus - postoperative ileus - total knee arthroplasty - orthopaedic surgical complications
 

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