Risk
factors for short-term complications of anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction in the United States.
factors for short-term complications of anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction in the United States.
Cvetanovich GL, Chalmers
PN, Verma NN, Cole BJ, and Bach BR. Am J
Sports Med. 2016. [Epub Ahead of Print].
PN, Verma NN, Cole BJ, and Bach BR. Am J
Sports Med. 2016. [Epub Ahead of Print].
Take
Home Message: Complications following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
are rare (1.3%). Patients who smoke, have a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, or dyspnea have a greater risk of complications than those
that do not.
Home Message: Complications following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
are rare (1.3%). Patients who smoke, have a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, or dyspnea have a greater risk of complications than those
that do not.
While anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
reconstruction is a common surgical procedure there is little known about risk
factors for post-operative complications. Therefore, Cvetanovich completed a
cohort study to determine the incidence of 30-day complications and risk
factors for complications after ACL reconstruction. Researchers identified
4,933 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS
NSQIP) database who underwent an ACL reconstruction. All patient records were
then analyzed for complications. Complications were deemed to be either major
or minor complications. Overall, 66 patients experienced complications (1.3%).
Twenty-seven (0.6%) patients had major complications while 43 (0.9%) had minor
complications. The most common complications following surgery were symptomatic
deep vein thrombosis (0.6%) and return to surgery (0.4%; reasons unknown).
Patients with dyspnea (difficulty breathing), who smoke, or who had a history
of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely to have complications.
However, the authors noted that other factors (e.g., surgical techniques)
likely play a bigger role in determining who will experience post-operative
complications.
reconstruction is a common surgical procedure there is little known about risk
factors for post-operative complications. Therefore, Cvetanovich completed a
cohort study to determine the incidence of 30-day complications and risk
factors for complications after ACL reconstruction. Researchers identified
4,933 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS
NSQIP) database who underwent an ACL reconstruction. All patient records were
then analyzed for complications. Complications were deemed to be either major
or minor complications. Overall, 66 patients experienced complications (1.3%).
Twenty-seven (0.6%) patients had major complications while 43 (0.9%) had minor
complications. The most common complications following surgery were symptomatic
deep vein thrombosis (0.6%) and return to surgery (0.4%; reasons unknown).
Patients with dyspnea (difficulty breathing), who smoke, or who had a history
of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely to have complications.
However, the authors noted that other factors (e.g., surgical techniques)
likely play a bigger role in determining who will experience post-operative
complications.
The data presented in this study are important
because it suggests that a patient with a history of smoking, dyspnea, or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease may be more likely to have complications
following an ACL reconstruction. Clinicians should educate patients who have
these factors about their increased risk of complications. It is important to
note that just because these factors are related to a greater risk of
complications it does not mean that we can predict who is at risk. The authors
noted that there may be a lot of other factors that could influence the risk of
complications; for example, surgical technique, variations between facilities,
and other patient-related factors. While more research should be completed to
confirm the results of this study, clinicians need to educate their patients
prior to undergoing surgery about their risk of complications.
because it suggests that a patient with a history of smoking, dyspnea, or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease may be more likely to have complications
following an ACL reconstruction. Clinicians should educate patients who have
these factors about their increased risk of complications. It is important to
note that just because these factors are related to a greater risk of
complications it does not mean that we can predict who is at risk. The authors
noted that there may be a lot of other factors that could influence the risk of
complications; for example, surgical technique, variations between facilities,
and other patient-related factors. While more research should be completed to
confirm the results of this study, clinicians need to educate their patients
prior to undergoing surgery about their risk of complications.
Questions for Discussion: Do you educate your patients
prior to ACL surgery? If so, do you feel that educating your patients on these
predictive factors would affect the patient’s willingness to undergo surgery?
prior to ACL surgery? If so, do you feel that educating your patients on these
predictive factors would affect the patient’s willingness to undergo surgery?
Written by: Kyle Harris
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Driban
Related Posts:
Cvetanovich, G., Chalmers, P., Verma, N., Cole, B., & Bach, B. (2016). Risk Factors for Short-term Complications of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the United States The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44 (3), 618-624 DOI: 10.1177/0363546515622414