Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis

Abstract Background Clear clinical guidelines on performing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) are lacking. We compare the clinical outcomes between BTKA and unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKA) using propensity score matching to assess safety and clinical efficacy, hypothesi...

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Main Authors: Kwan Kyu Park, Hyuck Min Kwon, Byung Woo Cho, Tae Sung Lee, Woo-Suk Lee, Jun Young Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05933-7
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author Kwan Kyu Park
Hyuck Min Kwon
Byung Woo Cho
Tae Sung Lee
Woo-Suk Lee
Jun Young Park
author_facet Kwan Kyu Park
Hyuck Min Kwon
Byung Woo Cho
Tae Sung Lee
Woo-Suk Lee
Jun Young Park
author_sort Kwan Kyu Park
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Clear clinical guidelines on performing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) are lacking. We compare the clinical outcomes between BTKA and unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKA) using propensity score matching to assess safety and clinical efficacy, hypothesizing no difference in clinical safety. Methods Among 1,665 BTKA and UTKA cases, patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio by age, sex, body mass index, follow-up, and comorbidities, resulting in 653 patients per group. Primary outcomes included 30-day complication rates and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), transfusion rate, estimated blood loss, hemoglobin (Hb) levels (preoperative and two days postoperative), Hb decrease, and 1-year mortality rate. The patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) was measured preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using the American Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and EuroQol 5-Dimension. Results There were no differences in the 30-day complication rates and ICU admission rate between the BTKA and UTKA groups after matching (1.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.60, 0.5% vs. 0.6%; p = 1.00). However, patients who underwent BTKA had a longer LOS, a higher incidence of transfusion (7.2% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001), greater blood loss (128.6 ± 75.5 vs. 72.5 ± 45.6 mL; p < 0.001), and a more pronounced decrease in Hb levels (3.1 vs. 2.9 g/dL; p < 0.001) than those who underwent UTKA. No significant differences were observed in PROMs at one year postoperatively. Conclusions Patients who underwent BTKA reported similar 30-day complication rates, ICU admissions, and PROMs compared to UTKA. Despite higher LOS, transfusion rates, blood loss, and Hb decrease, BTKA remains a safe, effective option. It should be performed cautiously, considering patient comorbidities and overall health in treating bilateral knee OA.
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spelling doaj-art-d34f7b2390b349948ffab5cd9a6aa7ae2025-08-20T03:08:43ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-05-012011810.1186/s13018-025-05933-7Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysisKwan Kyu Park0Hyuck Min Kwon1Byung Woo Cho2Tae Sung Lee3Woo-Suk Lee4Jun Young Park5Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Heung-K HospitalDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of MedicineAbstract Background Clear clinical guidelines on performing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) are lacking. We compare the clinical outcomes between BTKA and unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKA) using propensity score matching to assess safety and clinical efficacy, hypothesizing no difference in clinical safety. Methods Among 1,665 BTKA and UTKA cases, patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio by age, sex, body mass index, follow-up, and comorbidities, resulting in 653 patients per group. Primary outcomes included 30-day complication rates and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), transfusion rate, estimated blood loss, hemoglobin (Hb) levels (preoperative and two days postoperative), Hb decrease, and 1-year mortality rate. The patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) was measured preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using the American Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and EuroQol 5-Dimension. Results There were no differences in the 30-day complication rates and ICU admission rate between the BTKA and UTKA groups after matching (1.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.60, 0.5% vs. 0.6%; p = 1.00). However, patients who underwent BTKA had a longer LOS, a higher incidence of transfusion (7.2% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.001), greater blood loss (128.6 ± 75.5 vs. 72.5 ± 45.6 mL; p < 0.001), and a more pronounced decrease in Hb levels (3.1 vs. 2.9 g/dL; p < 0.001) than those who underwent UTKA. No significant differences were observed in PROMs at one year postoperatively. Conclusions Patients who underwent BTKA reported similar 30-day complication rates, ICU admissions, and PROMs compared to UTKA. Despite higher LOS, transfusion rates, blood loss, and Hb decrease, BTKA remains a safe, effective option. It should be performed cautiously, considering patient comorbidities and overall health in treating bilateral knee OA.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05933-7Total knee arthroplastySimultaneous surgeryKnee osteoarthritisPostoperative complicationBlood transfusionMortality
spellingShingle Kwan Kyu Park
Hyuck Min Kwon
Byung Woo Cho
Tae Sung Lee
Woo-Suk Lee
Jun Young Park
Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Total knee arthroplasty
Simultaneous surgery
Knee osteoarthritis
Postoperative complication
Blood transfusion
Mortality
title Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
title_full Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
title_fullStr Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
title_full_unstemmed Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
title_short Clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an Asian population: a propensity score-matched analysis
title_sort clinical safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in an asian population a propensity score matched analysis
topic Total knee arthroplasty
Simultaneous surgery
Knee osteoarthritis
Postoperative complication
Blood transfusion
Mortality
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-05933-7
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