RAG rating
n/a
Document type
Clinical policy
Place
Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB
Output type
Clinical Policies & Evidence-based Interventions
Document
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Simultaneous Joint Replacement

v1.1

The Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB will not routinely fund any of the following joint replacement procedures:

  • Simultaneous hip replacement i.e., replacing both hips at the same time 
  • Simultaneous knee replacement i.e., replacing both knees at the same time 
  • Simultaneous shoulder joint replacement 

This does not affect staged joint replacement as long as the patient meets the relevant criteria for each procedure prior to surgical procedure.

Exceptionality to the above will be considered, as long as it can be evidenced that simultaneous replacement of joints will not affect the rehabilitation of the patient: evidence will need to be provided as part of an IFR application.

Summary of Evidence 

A literature search was undertaken by Castlepoint and Rochford CCG.

Whilst there may be an advantage that the surgery is undertaken in one go, it does pose greater risks for example surgery is therefore longer which alone can increase the risk of complications. Recovery and rehabilitation time may be increased when having simultaneous joint replacements and therefore this can place a greater demand on the body. It is suggested that staged joint replacement poses less risk to older patients and patients with heart conditions whilst also reducing the length of time patients are in hospital. The majority of patients having total joint replacements are over the age of 65 years and whilst having stage joint replacements will mean having two episodes of surgery the main advantage is that it reduces risks of complications and recovery time. 

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a highly successful orthopaedic surgical procedure. However, controversies still exist between conducting 1- or 2-stage bilateral THA as studies undertaken have selected their patient cohort which does not conclusively provide evidence for reducing risks from the operation which the older patient could be more susceptible. 

There were 13 studies with 17,762 patients who underwent 1-stage bilateral THA and 46,147 patients who underwent 2-stage bilateral THA. However, this study does not encourage performing 1-stage over 2-stage bilateral THA. Higher evidence level studies are necessary for further analysis. 

References:

  1. Shao, H., Chen, C.L., Maltenfort, M.G. et al. Bilateral total hip arthroplasty: one-stage or two-stage? a meta-analysis. J Arthroplasty. 2016; 32: 689 
  2. Bhan, S. One- or two-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, randomised, controlled study in an Asian population. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006; 88-B: 298 
  3. Lindberg-Larsen, M., Joergensen, C.C., Husted, H. et al. Simultaneous and staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty: a Danish nationwide study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2013; 133: 1601 
  4. Parvizi, J., Pour, A.E., Peak, E.L. et al. One-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty compared with unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a prospective study. J Arthroplasty. 2006; 21: 26 
  5. Eggli, S., Huckell, C.B., and Ganz, R. Bilateral total hip arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996; 328: 108 
  6. Rasouli, M.R., Maltenfort, M.G., Ross, D. et al. Perioperative morbidity and mortality following bilateral total hip arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2014; 29: 142 




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