Opioid-Based Analgesia: Impact on Total Joint Arthroplasty

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of opioid-based analgesia in total joint arthroplasty. The primary outcomes were incidence of in-hospital complications, length of stay, and discharge destination. Six hundred and seventy-three primary total hip and knee arthroplasties were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of opioid-related adverse drug events was 8.5%, which accounted for 58.2% of all postoperative complications. Age, anesthesia technique, ASA score, and surgery type were significant risk factors for complications. After adjusting for these confounders, opioid-related adverse drug events were significantly associated with increased length of stay (P < 0.001) and discharge to extended care facilities (P = 0.014).

Keywords: analgesia; arthroplasty; complications; discharge destination; length of stay; opioids.