The concept of staging during the same hospitalization for bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) has emerged as a practice to minimize perioperative risks, although with few data providing an evidence base. A total of 41,664 BTKA patients from Nationwide Inpatient Sample data between 1998 and 2010 were identified, and categorized into three groups, same day, staging 1-3 days, and staging 4-7 days BTKA. Staging BTKA 1-3 days apart was associated with increased rates for complications compared to same day BTKA, while staging 4-7 days BTKA was associated with similar complication profiles compared to same day BTKA. Our study suggests that same day BTKA for selective patient population is preferable, and staging BTKA either 1-3 days or 4-7 days apart should be discouraged.
Keywords: bilateral total knee arthroplasty; morbidity; same hospitalization; staging; timing.
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