2020 international practice patterns in adult joint reconstruction surgery: a survey of members of the International Society of Orthopaedic Centers

PURPOSE: It is important to assess global trends in the practice of adult reconstruction orthopaedic surgery to understand how new evidence is being implemented. The International Society of Orthopaedic Centers (ISOC) is a consortium of academic orthopaedic centers whose members’ practices likely reflect contemporary evidence and indicate how orthopaedic surgery residents and fellows are trained. METHODS: We administered a 65 question, electronic survey of adult reconstruction surgeons across the ISOC centers in September 2020 to assess practice patterns. Results were assessed using descriptive statistics or by modeling the underlying response distribution, and the analysis was stratified by hospital region. RESULTS: 79 surgeons across 19 ISOC centers in 5 continents (Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America) completed the survey. Selected findings include: in total hip arthroplasty (THA), the posterolateral approach was used for 71 ± 42% of THA (mean ± standard deviation) and the direct anterior approach in 18% ± 34%. In total knee arthroplasty, posterior-stabilized (66% ± 39%) and cruciate-retaining (19 ± 33%) implants were most common. Robots were available in 56% (44 of 79) of surgeons’ centers more commonly in Asia, Australia, and North America. Tranexamic acid was routinely used in arthroplasty by 99% (78 of 79) of surgeons. Eighty-six percent (68 of 79) submit data to joint or other registries. Virtual visits were used for 13% ± 16% of outpatient visits and by 82% (64 of 79) of surgeons overall. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be of use now for surgeons to consider the practices of their peers at high-volume academic institutions, and in the future as we track temporal trends. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00590-021-02876-7.