Rise in kidney failure among hip op patients

THE number of patients suffering sudden kidney failure after routine surgery has soared in Scotland, a report has revealed.

Hundreds of people were diagnosed with the condition after hip and knee replacement procedures last year.

Almost 15,000 patients had the routine joint operations in 2016, figures show – but there was a ‘concerning’ rise in the rate of acute kidney injury among those people.

Some 340 patients who had hip and knee surgeries were affected by the complication in 2016 – up from only 17 in 2000.

Acute kidney injury can occur after surgery and usually caused by infection and dehydration.

The kidneys become unable to filter waste products from the blood and dangerous levels of waste accumulate.

The number of cases has soared among hip and knee replacement patients in recent years, the report from Scotland’s NHS Information and Statistics Division shows.

Rates of the condition among patients having hip operations have risen from 0.2 per cent in 2000 to 2.3 per cent in 2016.

Among patients having knee operations, the rate increased from 0.3 per cent in 2000 to 2.4 per cent in 2016.

The data is revealed in the Scottish Arthroplasty Project Annual Report 2017, published yesterday.

Highlighting the rising rates of acute kidney injury, the report states: ‘Rates are now at their highest levels, which is concerning. Boards across Scotland should take this data seriously and monitor carefully to address causes.’

Fiona Loud, policy director at Kidney Care UK, yesterday said: ‘Acute kidney injury is a sudden drop in kidney function.

‘It is fairly common and affects one in five people admitted to hospital as an emergency. It can also occur after an operation as common causes are infection and dehydration. It particularly affects people over 65 and those with pre-existing chronic conditions – likely to be the same population who may need hip or knee surgery, so great care should be taken to reduce the chances of acquiring it.

‘While the increase in reported acute kidney injury after joint replacement surgery in this report is concerning, recent improvements in identification may partly explain the rise.

‘We hope the greater recognition will lead to more staff, as well as public education, and prompter treatment and followup, to prevent long-term kidney damage.

‘The good news is that if identified quickly enough, through a blood test, it can be treated with antibiotics and fluids. The symptoms are similar to flu and include a high temperature and aches and pains in the muscles.

‘If you are having joint replacement surgery, or any surgery, it is important to do all you can to avoid infection and keep hydrated when in hospital, and once you have been discharged, to lower your chances of developing acute kidney injury.’

‘Rates at their highest levels’