A rapid recovery protocol for hip and knee replacement surgery: a report of the outcomes in a referral center

Objective: The number of joint replacements is expected to dramatically increase, and the optimization of the available resources is fundamental to maintain high clinical standards while providing an efficient treatment to an increasing number of patients. The present study describes the outcomes of the application of a rapid recovery (RR) protocol in a referral center for hip and knee replacement surgery. Patients and methods: The medical records of every patient undergoing primary hip or knee replacement in 2019 were identified and all the relevant data were retrospectively extracted and compared to those of year 2016 (the last year before the onset of the rapid recovery protocol). The following outcomes were considered: 1) length of stay (LOS); 2) total number of TKR and THR; 3) pre- and post-operative subjective questionnaires; 4) NRS for pain at day 1 following surgery; 5) mean hemoglobin value at discharge; 6) number of blood transfusion performed; 7) complications following surgery. Results: The mean LOS was significantly lower for patients managed through the rapid recovery protocol: 5.1 ± 1.4 days vs. 10.4 ± 2.3 days (p < 0.0001). The earlier discharge of patients promoted an overall increase in the total number of joint replacement procedures performed (2,806 in year 2019 vs. 2,236 in year 2016; p < 0.0001). Higher hemoglobin values at discharge were found in the RR group (10.6 ± 1.4 g/dl vs. 9.6 ± 1.2 g/dl, p = 0.049). No difference was observed in terms of clinical scores and overall complication rate. Conclusions: The application of a multimodal RR protocol for THR and TKR patients was able to reduce the length of stay and optimize the use of blood products, without increasing the risk of complications or jeopardizing the functional recovery.