[Impact of Case Numbers on the 5-Year Survival Rate of Unicondylar Knee Replacements in Germany].

Background: Reported survival rates of unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) vary considerably. The influences of patient characteristics and the type of implant have already been examined. This analysis investigated the influence of hospital volume on 5-year-survival rate, using administrative claims data of Germany's largest health insurance provider.

Are TKAs Performed in High-volume Hospitals Less Likely to Undergo Revision Than TKAs Performed in Low-volume Hospitals?

Background: High-volume hospitals have achieved better outcomes for THAs and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKAs). However, few studies have analyzed implant survival after primary TKA in high-volume centers.

Questions/purposes: Is the risk of revision surgery higher when receiving a TKA in a low-volume hospital than in a high-volume hospital?

Methods: Using nationwide billing data of the largest German healthcare insurer for inpatient hospital treatment, we identified 45,165 TKAs in 44,465 patients insured by Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse who had undergone knee replacement surgery between January 2012 and December 2012.