Local Soft-Tissue Thickness vs. Body Mass Index as Predictors of Complications After Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty

» Body mass index (BMI) is a nonspecific measure of general fat composition that demonstrates little conclusive or definitive association with surgical site complications after total knee and total hip arthroplasty. » Quantifying soft-tissue thickness (STT) around the joint of interest has shown positive correlations with complications and is arguably a better predictor than BMI. » In this literature review, 14 articles (7 discussing hips and 7 discussing knees) discussing the association of STT, BMI, and surgical site complications after total hip and knee arthroplasty were scrutinized and summarized to present relevant information necessary to compare STT with BMI. » Five of the 7 studies involving hips and 4 of the 7 studies involving knees show a positive relationship between STT and outcomes including complications and infection, with some claiming STT as a stronger predictor of surgery site problems than BMI. » Since many variables, such as STT measurement technique, surgical outcomes, sample sizes, and surgical approach, varied between the studies, definitive inferences are difficult to make and future studies of bigger sample size and higher power should focus on the described measurement techniques.