[Comparison of perioperative complications between simultaneous and staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of perioperative complications in matched patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty, or staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS: A total of 219 cases of bilateral total knee arthroplasty were performed from October 1996 to October 2006. It consisted 171 simultaneous and 48 staged (group B) bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Forty-eight patients were matched with group B for age and sex from simultaneous group (group A). A retrospective review of each group was conducted to compare the rates of perioperative complications.

RESULTS: No significant differences between the two matched groups were found with regard to preoperative co-morbidities (P > 0.05). The percentage of patients who had cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications was significantly higher in the simultaneous group than in the staged group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative health status must be assessed carefully. Patients must be fully informed of the risks of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty before surgery. Active prevention of perioperative complications must be applied after surgery.