Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is widely believed to be the best choice for the treatment of end-stage of knee arthropathy, and the procedure can significantly improve the quality of life for these patients. Multiple diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and hemophilia can result in severe bilateral knee destruction, and patients frequently require bilateral TKA [1]. However, there is still debate regarding performing staged bilateral or simultaneous bilateral TKA, primarily because of the concern of increased complication rates with simultaneous bilateral TKA [2]-[11]. A recent meta-analysis by Restrepo et al. [4] reported that compared with staged bilateral and unilateral TKAs, simultaneous bilateral TKA was associated with higher risk of serious cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, and mortality. A meta-analysis by Hu et al. in 2011 [2], however, reported that although mortality and neurological complications were greater in patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKAs as compared with those who underwent staged bilateral TKAs, there was no difference between the two groups with respect to infection, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and cardiac complications.

A few studies have compared the relative costs of performing simultaneous versus staged bilateral TKAs; however, those that have generally report that simultaneous bilateral TKA is associated with lower costs than staged bilateral TKA [10]-[13]. While not a direct measure, medical costs, both inpatient and outpatient, can reflect the incidence of complications [4],[12],[14].

The National Health Insurance (NHI) was established in Taiwan in 1995. The National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) provided by the Bureau of National Health Insurance, Department of Health, Taiwan, and managed by the National Health Research Institutes maintains data of all NHI medical benefit claims for the Taiwanese population of over 23 million, which represented over 99% of the island’s population in 2010. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other database like the Taiwan National Health Insurance NHIRD that complied such long-term complete population data [15].

The purpose of this study was to compare the medical utilization during hospitalization and 1 year after discharge and long-term prosthesis survival in patients who received simultaneous bilateral TKAs and staged bilateral TKAs using data in the Taiwan NHIRD.

Methods

This research used pooled data for the years 1996 to 2010 obtained from NHIRD - Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID). The LHID contains all the original claim data of one million beneficiaries that were drawn for random sampling from the NHIRD. There is no significant difference in the gender (χ2 = 0.008, df = 1, p = 0.05) distribution between the patients in the LHID and the original NHIRD [15]. The NHIRD includes registries of all hospitals and all board-certified physicians and details of inpatient and outpatient medical utilization for each patient in Taiwan. Thus, all hospitals in Taiwan were represented in this study. The NHIRD provides operation procedure codes and diagnosis codes for each patient, using the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). The NHIRD is without patient or physician identifiers, by authorization from the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Taipei, Taiwan. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital and by the Bureau of National Health Insurance, and the requirement of patient informed consent was waived.

The study sample was identified from the LHID and included all patients who received primary TKA procedures (ICD-9-CM procedure code 81.54) during the period from 1996 to 2010. Briefly, based on NHI case payment guidelines [15] for TKA, cases in which the prosthesis cost was lower than the payment were excluded first [16]. This was done because a lower price most likely indicates an error during data input. Data indicating malignant diseases, fractures, or with procedure codes of other major operations were also excluded. The percentages of cases excluded due to data input errors (cost of prosthesis lower than reimbursement cost, 58 records) and other major conditions treated simultaneously (41 records, including 24 tumors, 12 concomitant major operations, 2 cases of leukemia, and 3 fractures) were 0.77% (58/7,490) and 0.55% (41/7,490), respectively. As these percentages are low, the impact of the exclusion of these cases on the data analysis and results is likely minimal.

The remaining data were then divided into two groups. Patients who underwent two TKA procedures separated by ≤365 days were considered to have undergone staged bilateral TKAs [7]. Cases in which the same patient identification number was identified in different hospitalization and the single surgical code 81.54 was associated with the hospitalizations were classified as staged bilateral TKA. Cases in which the procedure code 81.54 was identified twice during the same hospitalization were classified as simultaneous bilateral TKA. Using the above criteria, 452 cases were identified that received simultaneous bilateral TKAs and 690 that received staged bilateral TKAs. A flow diagram of patient selection is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1
figure 1

The flowchart of data collection.

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The medical expenditures of each claim were extracted and recorded. To reflect the real dollar value, all dollar values at the end of each year were adjusted to 2010 Taiwan currency values first, and then all dollar values were converted to US Dollars (USD) with the exchange rate of 1 USD = 31.64 New Taiwan Dollars (the averaged exchange rate from 1996 to 2010). To compare the medical utilization between the two groups, the costs in the simultaneous group were compared with the total costs of the two procedures in the staged group.

Pre- and postoperative medical utilization was determined from ambulatory care expenditures using the orthopedic outpatient department medical use costs. We calculated each claim’s average monthly orthopedic outpatient department medical use cost for 12 months before the operation to use as a reference value and determined when the monthly postoperative outpatient costs dropped below this value.

A failure of prosthesis was defined as a revision TKA (ICD 81.55) performed after a simultaneous bilateral TKA or after the second procedure of a staged bilateral TKA [8].

Data analysis

Continuous variables were presented as medians and inter-quartile ranges (IQR, the range between the 25th and 75th percentile) due to non-normal distribution and were compared between the two groups (simultaneous bilateral TKA vs. staged bilateral TKA) by the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were expressed by counts and percentages and compared between different groups by the Chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. A linear mixed model was used to investigate the effects of TKA groups (group) and postoperative time (time) as well as their interaction (group × time) on medical costs during orthopedic outpatient visits after TKAs. A significant interaction (group × time) indicates the time trend of the medical expenditures during orthopedic outpatient visits differs between the two groups.

Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created to describe the prosthesis survival rates of the two groups. The time interval (month) between primary TKA and revision TKA was calculated in each group using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve, with 95% confidence interval (CI). The event time was calculated from the date of TKA completion to the date of the first revision during the follow-up. If no revision TKA was performed, the data were censored and the follow-up time was calculated until 31 December 2010. The log-rank test was used to compare the prosthesis survival rates between two TKA groups. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS software version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A two-tailed p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

Baseline characteristics

A total of 1,142 patients who received bilateral TKAs were included in the data analysis (Figure 1), consisting of 452 who received simultaneous bilateral TKAs (group 1) and 690 who received staged bilateral TKAs (group 2).

The demographic characteristics of the two groups are shown in Table 1. The patients who received simultaneous bilateral TKAs were older than those who received staged bilateral TKA at the first procedure (70.0 [65.0, 75.0] years vs. 69.0 [62.0, 73.0] years; p < 0.001). The gender distribution was neither different between the groups (group 1, 21.7% male vs. group 2, 23.0% male; p = 0.641) nor was the Charlson comorbidity index different between the groups (p = 0.848). The entire length of hospital stay was longer in the staged bilateral TKA group as compared to that of the simultaneous bilateral TKA group (15.0 [12.0, 18.0] days vs. 12.0 [9.0, 15.0] days, respectively; p < 0.001). Simultaneous bilateral TKAs tended to be conducted at a medical center (as opposed to regional or district hospitals) as compared to staged bilateral TKAs (46.5% vs. 37.7%, respectively; p = 0.012).

Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients
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Medical utilization during hospitalization

The medical costs for each of the payment items during hospitalization are shown in Figure 2. For the staged bilateral TKA group, the sum of medical costs of the two stages was used in this analysis. The medical costs for almost all payment items during hospitalization were higher in the staged bilateral TKA group than in the simultaneous bilateral TKA group (all, p < 0.05). Therapeutic procedure fees, which include the medical costs for urethral catheterization, nasogastric tube placement, intravenous infusions, and dressing changes, however, were greater in the simultaneous bilateral TKA group (Figure 2I). It must be noted that in our country, therapeutic fees exclude the cost of the surgical procedure [17]. As a whole, the total medical cost during hospitalization was significantly higher in patients who received a staged bilateral TKA than in those who received a simultaneous bilateral TKA (7,345.7 USD [7,052.2, 7,721.7] vs. 6,994.4 USD [6,722.9, 7,354.1], respectively; p < 0.001, Figure 2K). Among all items, the highest costs were special materials fees (group 1 vs. group 2; 4,049.7 USD [3,859.8, 4,286.6] vs. 4,085.5 USD [3,940.8, 4,3411.7], respectively; p = 0.004, Figure 2H), and the lowest costs were X-ray fees (group 1 vs. group 2; 27.7 [25.3, 39.3] USD vs. 36.3 [32.6, 57.0] USD, respectively; p < 0.001, Figure 2D). Moreover, the total medical cost without special materials fees was also significantly higher in patients who received a staged bilateral TKA than in those who received a simultaneous bilateral TKA (3,245.5 USD [2,994.6, 3,509.9] vs. 2,947.9 USD [2,698.7, 3,215.1], respectively; p < 0.001).

Figure 2
figure 2

Comparison of medical expenses during hospitalization between simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA. According to different payment items, medical expenses during hospitalization between the two TKA groups (sum of the twice operations) were compared. (A) Diagnosis fees. (B) Ward fees. (C) Laboratory fees. (D) X-ray fees. (E) Surgical fees. (F) Rehabilitation fees. (G) Anesthesia fees. (H) Special materials fees. (I) Therapeutic procedure fees. (J) Drug fees. (K) Total medical expense. All p < 0.05.

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In-hospital mortality and complications

Two patients who received a simultaneous bilateral TKA expired during the postoperative period, while all patients who received staged bilateral TKAs survived to discharge. No significant difference of in-hospital mortality was found between the two groups (0.44% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.156). Data of specific complications (e.g., cardiac and pulmonary complications) are not available from the LHID/NHIRD data sets. However, the unplanned readmission rate may serve as an index of serious complications. To this end, we compared the unplanned readmission rates between the two groups at day 14, day 30, and day 90 after discharge (Table 2). Evaluation at 14 days was performed based on NHIRD guidelines which indicate that a second hospitalization within 14 days after surgery may be directly associated with complications of the index surgery. Evaluation at 30 and 90 days after surgery was based on prior studies [18],[19]. The analysis showed that the unplanned readmission rate at day 14 was significantly higher in simultaneously bilateral TKA than at day 14 after the first stage of staged bilateral TKA (2.88% vs. 0.87%; p = 0.016). Although the unplanned readmission rates at day 30 and day 90 were slightly higher in simultaneously bilateral TKA compared to that in staged bilateral TKA, no significant difference was found between two groups (all, p > 0.05).

Table 2 Unplanned readmissions in the two groups
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Medical utilization during the first postoperative year

The trends of monthly average medical expenses incurred during orthopedic outpatient visits across the 1-year postoperative period are shown in Figure 3. In general, higher costs were incurred in the staged bilateral TKA group compared to the simultaneous bilateral TKA group (denoted as group effect; p < 0.001). Both cost trends decreased over time (denoted as time effect; p < 0.001), but a significantly greater rate of decrease in costs was seen in the group that received staged bilateral TKAs compared to those that received simultaneous bilateral TKAs (average decrease per month, 5.52 USD vs. 3.09 USD, respectively; p < 0.001). Five months after TKA, the average monthly medical costs were lower than the average of the 1 year prior to surgery for both groups.

Figure 3
figure 3

Comparison of medical expenses during orthopedic outpatient visits over the first year postoperative period. Medical expenses during orthopedic outpatient visits over the first year postoperative period between the two TKA groups were compared. The horizontal reference lines indicated the averages of medical amounts over 1-year duration pre-operation.

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Prosthesis survival rate

There was no significant difference in the prosthesis survival rate between the two groups (log-rank test; p = 0.062, Figure 4). The 10-year prosthesis survival rates in the simultaneous bilateral TKA and the staged bilateral TKA groups were 90.9% (95% CI, 85.2% to 94.5%) and 87.5% (95% CI, 82.9% to 90.9%), respectively.

Figure 4
figure 4

Kaplan-Meier curve of the prosthesis survival of the simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA groups. Log-rank test, p = 0.062.

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Discussion

The NHIRD includes all patient medical benefit claims for NHI for the Taiwanese population of over 23 million, representing over 99% of the island’s population in 2010. The NHIRD has been used for a number of other studies in the field of orthopedics [14],[16],[20],[21]. The results of this study showed that medical costs are lower for simultaneous bilateral TKA as compared to staged bilateral TKAs. Even considering that the complication rate may be higher with simultaneous bilateral TKA, the costs are still lower than that of staged bilateral TKA.

The medical utilization costs for simultaneous bilateral TKA were significantly lower than for staged bilateral TKA, and this was primarily reflected in the total medical cost and average length of hospital stay. Our data showed that the entire length of hospital stay was longer in staged bilateral TKA group than in the simultaneous bilateral TKA group (15.0 days vs. 12.0 days), and the total medical expenses during hospitalization were significantly higher in the staged bilateral TKA group than in the simultaneously bilateral TKA (7,345.7 USD vs. 6,994.4 USD). Most, but not all of the special material fees, were due to the cost of the implant. Due to limitations of the database, we were not able to identify the individual implant cost; however, when the special material fee was deducted from the total medical cost, the cost was still significantly higher for staged bilateral TKA then simultaneous bilateral TKA.

In an early study, Reuben et al. [12] reported that the total costs of bilateral simultaneous TKA were significantly less than that of performing staged bilateral TKA and that the savings can exceed 10,000 USD for each patient. Stubbs et al. [10] performed a retrospective study at a community hospital and reported no difference in surgical or medical complications between simultaneous and staged bilateral TKAs and that overall costs were lower in the simultaneous TKA group. Kovacik et al. [22] also reported no difference in complications and a lower cost with simultaneous bilateral TKA, and March et al. [13] reported that although patients who received simultaneous TKAs had more postoperative complications, primarily thrombotic, they reported better physical function and general health in the first year postoperatively, and the overall costs were lower.

Implant failure is a time-dependent problem and can be due to infection, microfractures, polyethylene wear, and soft tissue imbalance. Methods of evaluating the long-term results of prostheses and implant failure include functional scores [5],[6],[23] and aseptic loosening of implants [24]-[27]. A general consensus is that when daily activities cannot be performed as a result of problems due to the implant, a revision TKA is indicated. The results of this study indicated there was no difference in prosthesis survival in patients who underwent a staged or simultaneous bilateral TKA. This result is similar to that reported by Ritter et al. [6] who found that prosthesis failure was not different between patient who received simultaneous bilateral, stage bilateral, and unilateral TKAs.

The evaluation of complications is the largest limitation of data-based research, and in this study we were not able to evaluate the surgical and postoperative complications between the two groups. However, the unplanned readmission rates, which may serve as an indicator of serious complications, and the in-hospital mortality rates were similar between the two groups. Per NHIRD guidelines, a second hospitalization within 14 days after surgery may be directly associated with complications of the index surgery. Other study has shown that a second hospitalization within 90 days of the index surgery may indirectly be associated with complications of the surgery [18],[19]. Whether or not simultaneous bilateral TKA is associated with a greater incidence of complications than staged bilateral TKA remains uncertain and is probably closely related to patient selection. Two recent meta-analyses [2],[4] have suggested that simultaneous bilateral TKA is associated with a greater incidence of complications than stage bilateral TKA. Interestingly, the two analyses differed with respect to the complications that are more prevalent. A population-based study by Meehan et al. [7] examined complications occurring after staged bilateral (n = 23,715) and simultaneous bilateral (n = 11,445) TKA and reported that simultaneous bilateral TKA was associated with a significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 1.6) and pulmonary embolism (aOR = 1.4), similar odds of death (aOR = 1.3) and ischemic stroke (aOR = 1.0), and lower odds of major joint infections (aOR = 0.6) and major mechanical malfunction (aOR = 0.7) than staged bilateral TKA. On the other hand, a number of studies with smaller patient numbers have reported a similar incidence of complications and similar outcomes between staged and simultaneous bilateral TKAs [9],[10]. The total hospital and outpatient charges likely reflect patient comorbidities and complications [4],[12],[14]. In our study, though there is a strong probability that there was a higher incidence of complications in the simultaneous bilateral groups, the overall costs of both inpatient and outpatient care associated with simultaneous bilateral TKA were lower than that of staged bilateral TKA; and the hospital unplanned readmission rates, which may serve as an indicator of serious complications, and the in-hospital mortality rates were similar between the groups.

A major limitation of this study is that disease comorbidity and postoperative complications could not be evaluated. Certain data that could not be analyzed included the brand of implant used and surgical parameters such as operation time, disease severity, and private payment of medical charges not covered by the NHI. Only revision surgery was considered with respect to a return to the operating room; limitations of the database prevented determining if other surgeries were related to the TKA or not. Revision TKA was specifically chosen because this indicates severe technique failure for which there is no other treatment. It should be noted that the length of hospital stays reported are normal for our country but are much longer than typical of many Western countries; thus, the results may not be generalizable to other countries where the length of stay is much shorter. Lastly, we did examine how quickly patients returned to their activities of daily life after surgery. Few studies have examined short-term functional recovery after the two procedures. Niki et al. [28] used a Knee Society function score of 80 as a target and reported that the mean recovery time to reaching this target was 2 months shorter with staged TKA than with simultaneous bilateral TKA. Our observations suggested that the patients who underwent a simultaneous bilateral operation recovered more slowly than those that received a staged procedure, but we did not use a metric to evaluate this question. This question certainly deserves future study.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that simultaneous bilateral TKA is more cost effective than staged bilateral TKA. Prosthesis survival is not affected by the choice for staged or simultaneous bilateral TKA.