Operative Time Less Than 1.5 Hours, Male Sex, Dependent Functional Status, Presence of Dyspnea, and Reoperations Within 30 days Are Independent Risk Factors for Readmission After ACLR.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study are to use a large, patient-centered database to describe the 30-day readmission rate and to identify predictive risk factors for readmission after elective isolated ACLR.

METHODS

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database was retrospectively queried for isolated ACLR procedures between 2011 and 2017. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were used to identify isolated ACLR patients. Those undergoing additional procedures such as meniscectomy or multi-ligamentous reconstruction were excluded. Readmissions were analyzed against demographic variables with bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find independent risk factors for 30-day readmissions after ACLR.

RESULTS

A total of 11,060 patients (37.2% female) were included with an average age of 32.2 ± 10.6 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.9 ± 6.5 kg/m (29.2% were >30). The overall readmission rate was 0.59%. The most reported reason for readmission was infection 0.22 (24 out of 11,060). The following variables were associated with significantly higher readmission rates: male sex ( = .001), history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ( = .025), cardiac comorbidity ( = .034), operative time >1.5 hours ( <.001), partially dependent functional health status ( = .002), high preoperative creatinine ( = .009), normal preoperative albumin ( = .020), hypertension ( = .034), and reoperations ( < .001). Operative time >1.5 hours, male sex, dependent functional status, the presence of dyspnea, and undergoing a reoperation were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day readmissions ( < .05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated ACLR is associated with low 30-day readmission rates. Operative time >1.5 hours, male sex, dependent functional status, the presence of dyspnea, and 30-day reoperations are independent risk factors for readmission that should be considered in patient selection and addressed with preoperative counseling.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.