Factors Associated With 30-Day Morbidity and Mortality Following the Surgical Treatment of Olecranon Fractures

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify factors independently associated with complications, hospital readmission, reoperation, and death in the 30-day period after surgical treatment of isolated olecranon fractures. A retrospective case-control study was performed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database by querying the Current Procedural Terminology code for patients who underwent surgical treatment of isolated olecranon fractures from 2011 to 2020. A total of 4404 patients were included. The main study outcomes were 30-day medical or wound complications, hospital readmission, reoperation, and death. A bivariate screen was performed for explanatory variables associated with our outcome variables, and variables with P <.1 in the bivariate screen were included in multivariable regression models. Of the 4404 patients in our cohort, 29 patients (0.7%) developed medical or wound complications, 157 patients (3.6%) were readmitted, 123 patients (2.8%) underwent reoperation, and 12 patients (0.3%) died during the 30-day postoperative period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that older age, smoking, bleeding disorders, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were associated with readmission; that older age, bleeding disorders, and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were associated with reoperation; and that bleeding disorders were associated with mortality. No identifiable factors were independently associated with medical or wound complications. In this National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database study of olecranon fractures treated surgically during a recent 10-year period, we identified demographic and comorbid factors independently associated with 30-day postoperative readmission, reoperation, and mortality. Our findings are relevant for preoperative risk stratification and counseling. [ Orthopedics . 2023;46(5):e310–e316.]