Effectiveness of Fast-track Clinical Pathway on Minimally-invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty Surgery in NTUH

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway incorporated with pre-operative physical therapy and education on immediate and short-term outcomes of minimally-invasive surgery of total hip arthroplasty (MIS-THA). We hypothesized that this ERAS pathway can shorten post-operative length of hospital stay and ensure same-day independent mobilization in MIS-THA. The first specific aim was to compare primary immediate outcomes, including post-operative length of hospital stay and the rate of same-day independent mobilization, between ERAS for MIS-THA patients and conventional MIS-THA patients. The second aim was to compare other immediate outcomes, including post-operative pain scores, analgesics usage, the rate of blood transfusion and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), between the two groups of patients. Third, we aimed to compare short-term outcomes, including post-operative 1-year Harris hip score, Oxford hip score and EQ-5D index of quality of life, between the two groups of patients. We also compared hospital cost and profit between the two groups of patients. Moreover, we identified the factors affecting post-operative length of hospital stay in ERAS for MIS-THA patients.