Eastern J Med. 2025; 30(1): 144-150 | DOI: 10.5505/ejm.2025.55313

Postoperative Complications in Patients Over 75 Years of Age Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

Özlem Þen
Health Sciences University Van Training And Research Hospital Department Of Anesthesiology And Reanimation

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure performed to treat pain, restricted movement, and joint deformity caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and knee joint trauma. With advancements in healthcare and an increasing aging population, the need for TKA surgeries among geriatric patients has risen significantly. Approximately 75% of TKA patients belong to this demographic, necessitating special attention to perioperative management due to higher frailty and comorbidities.
METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 75-year-old and older patients who underwent unilateral TKA between April 2018 and April 2023 at a tertiary university hospital. The study employed a retrospective design, analyzing data from patient records, including demographic characteristics, anesthesia types, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality.
RESULTS: A total of 81% of the study participants were women, with the majority categorized in the ASA III risk group (58%). Spinal anesthesia was the most commonly used anesthetic technique (77%), and 54% of patients had two or more comorbidities. Our findings revealed a postoperative complication rate of 73%, with anemia being the most frequent complication (51.2%). Blood transfusions were administered to 34.3% of patients, and the 30-day mortality rate was 0.5%.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study aligns with existing literature, showing a higher mortality rate in elderly TDP patients compared to younger cohorts, with a perioperative mortality rate of less than 1%. The results suggest that a thorough preoperative evaluation and optimized management of postoperative anemia and comorbidities can enhance perioperative patient outcomes and improve prognosis in geriatric TKA patients.

Keywords: Geriatric Anesthesia, Total Knee Arthroplasty, Postoperative Complications, Mortality

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