Abstract
Objective Evaluate the results of the implementation of the Fast Track Protocol (FTP), a medical
practice based on scientific evidence, for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery,
mainly comparing the National Average Hospital Admission Rate of 7.1 days.
Methods 98 patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty surgery via the direct
anterior approach, anterolateral approach and posterior approach were included in
the FTP from December 2018 to March 2020, being followed up preoperatively, intraoperatively
and immediately postoperatively.
Results The average length of hospital stay was 2.8 days, being 2.1 days for the direct anterior
approach, 3.0 days for the anterolateral access approach and 4.1 days for the posterior
access approach. The average surgery time was 90 minutes, 19 (19.39%) of the patients
were referred to the ICU in the postoperative period, however, none of them underwent
surgery using the direct anterior approach. We had no cases of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT), pulmonary embolism (PTE) or neurological injury, 19 (19.39%) patients had postoperative
bleeding requiring dressing change, 4 (4.08%) needed blood transfusion, 2 (2.04%)
patients had implant instability, 1 (1.02%) patient had a fracture during surgery
and 1 (1.02%) patient died of cardiac complications.
Conclusion FTP may be a viable alternative to reduce the length of stay and immediate postoperative
complications for elective total hip arthroplasty surgery decreasing the length of
stay of patients by 2 to 3 times when compared to the national average of 7.1 days.
Keywords
arthroplasty, replacement, hip - arthroplasty, replacement, knee - clinical protocols
