Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Solid Organ Transplant Patients: Perioperative Optimization and Outcomes

The success of renal, liver, cardiac, pulmonary, and other solid organ transplantation (SOT) has resulted in increasing volume of transplant procedures and recipient survivorship. Subsequently, many SOT patients develop end-stage degenerative joint disease and are presenting for total hip or total knee arthroplasty more frequently. Surgeons must be aware of the medical complexities and prepare for the perioperative risks associated with these immunocompromised patients. Preoperative evaluation should be conducted in coordination with transplant specialists to ensure optimization, including appropriate surgical timing and advanced, organ-specific medical assessments. Although often unable to be modified, the transplant patient's antirejection medication regimens should be reviewed with understanding of inherent risks of poor wound healing or acute infection. Despite higher rates of complications, revision surgeries, and mortality compared with the general population, SOT recipients continue to demonstrate markedly improved pain relief, function, and quality of life. An ongoing multidisciplinary approach is required throughout the perioperative process and beyond to deliver successful outcomes after total joint arthroplasty in the SOT population.

Automated summary

With the success of solid organ transplantation, SOT patients are increasingly seeking total hip or total knee arthroplasty for degenerative joint disease. Surgeons need to be aware of the medical complexities and risks associated with these immunocompromised patients and ensure proper evaluation and preparation.