A large comparative trial of 5200 total hip replacement patients and 9700 total knee replacement patients who had same-day discharge compared to inpatient stay was reviewed. There was no increase in emergency room visits after discharge, readmission after discharge, complications or mortality increase in patients discharged the same day as surgery. This patient population was average age 68 had an average BMI of 31, and the anesthesia risk score of 3 on average.
This clearly shows that total joint replacement done in the appropriate patient as an outpatient same-day discharge is safe. This data is based on an article in the Journal of bone and joint surgery 2021.
