Rotational Alignment of the Humeral Component in Elbow Arthroplasty: Positioning in Complex Fracture Situations

Abstract

associated with length of stay. These factors can be translated to improvements of our daily practice to provide a fast-track programme. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients' records who received a Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty in the period from January 1st 2012 to December 31st 2017. From these records, indications, demographic information and complications were derived. Length of stay was calculated from the hospital administration. Results: In total 118 patients receiving 119 Coonrad Morrey total elbow arthroplasties were included with a mean length of stay of 5 days (range 2-23) for the whole group. After introduction of functional discharge criteria in August 2017 mean length of stay declined from 6.4 days to 3.6 days. Reasons for prolonged stay were six times persistent wound leakage, five times blistering of the skin (of whom two superficial surgical site infections requiring antibiotics), three times awaiting cultures, two awaiting rehabilitation, two cases of pneumonia and one evacuation of a hematoma, performed in one of thirteen ulnaropathies. Conclusions: Omitting a cast and splint as regular post-operative treatment reduced the length of stay significantly without leading to more complications. Introduction of functional discharge criteria lowered the length of stay further to 3.6 days without any complications.