Although Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are not frequently observed following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), but if they are, they can lead to prolonged hospital stays and high mortality risk, as determined from this study of total 17,402 patients.

To recognize the variable risk factors for the development of Gastrointestinal (GI) complications and determine their short-term effect after TJA.

The demographic data along with comorbidities, operative and perioperative details, and short-term outcomes of patients who underwent primary TJA with a minimum of one GI complication were included. If need be, the type of GI complication and intervention was done. The indivisual variables linked with GI complication were recognized.

One hundred and six patients out of 17,402 patients had a GI complication. Most frequently reported GI complication was constipation/bowel obstruction, followed by diarrhea/ intestional malabsorption, hemorrhage, and Clostridium difficile. The patients with a GI complication were considerably older (68.5 versus 63.7, p<0.001), less likely to be alcoholic (49% versus 65%, p=0.008), and had greater occurences of 8 of the 16 comorbidities. 

After TJA, the patients suffering a GI complication need lengthier hospital stays and greater post-acute care resources and have significantly higher mortality risk.