Perception of Perioperative Risk for Arthroplasty Patients: A Poll of Australian Orthopedic Surgeons

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in the perioperative management of patients who have indications for hip and knee arthroplasty in the setting of modifiable risk factors such as morbid obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, and smoking. A recent survey of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) found that 95% of respondents address modifiable risk factors prior to surgery. The aim of this study was to poll Australian arthroplasty surgeons regarding their approach to patients who have modifiable risk factors. Methods: The survey tool used in the AAHKS study was adapted for use in the Australian context and distributed to the membership of the Arthroplasty Society of Austr..