Surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament without hospitalization

O. García-Casas, J. C. Monllau, X. Pelfort, L. Puig, P. Hinarejos, E. Cáceres

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective. Prospective analysis of the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament as an outpatient procedure. Materials and methods. From November 2001 to December 2002, 96 anterior cruciate ligaments were reconstructed using bone-tendon-bone or four-strand ischiotibial autografts. Additional surgical procedures were performed in 39 patients. Results were assessed 5 days after surgery using a visual analog scale (VAS) and pain control survey, and patients were reviewed after 6 months using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire, complication rate, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. Results. On the fifth postoperative day, 88.5% of patients reported good pain control (VAS 1.9 ± 0.4). No patient required readmission for pain. After 6 months the IKDC was normal or almost normal in 90.6% of patients and 89.5% were satisfied with the ambulatory procedure. The savings was 7.9% compared to surgery with hospitalization. Conclusions. The results suggest that ACL reconstruction can be carried out safely as an ambulatory procedure. Oral analgesics are sufficient for postoperative pain control. The economic analysis demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of the procedure.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)426-429
JournalRevista de Ortopedia y Traumatologia
Volume48
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2004

Keywords

  • Anterior cruciate ligament
  • Outpatient surgery
  • Postoperative pain control

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