The influence of prior dental pathology on medical complications and peri-prosthetic joint infections following primary shoulder arthroplasty

Purpose Antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive dental procedures is a common practice in the USA. Consensus regarding the influence of prior dental pathology (DP) on postoperative complications is lacking. The objectives are to determine the association of DP prior to shoulder arthroplasty (SA) on: (1) lengths of stay (LOS), (2) medical complications, (3) readmissions, (4) implant-related complications including peri-prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and (5) healthcare expenditures. Methods The PearlDiver database was queried for primary shoulder arthroplasty from 2010 to 2020. Patients with history of dental caries or dental implant placement before SA represented the study group (n = 1419). Patients without prior DP represented controls (n = 7062). Study group patients were 1:5 ratio matched to controls by age, sex, and comorbidities. Outcomes included LOS, 90-day complications, readmissions, 2-year implant-related complications, and healthcare reimbursements. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) of complications and readmissions. T tests compared LOS and costs. P values < 0.003 were significant. Results LOS (2.17 vs. 2.07 days; p = 0.071) were similar between groups. Patients with DP had higher 90-day medical complications compared to controls (OR: 1.74, p < 0.0001), including myocardial infarctions (2.2% vs. 0.8%; OR: 2.79, p < 0.0001), acute kidney injuries (8.3% vs. 4.6%; OR: 1.92, p < 0.0001), and pneumonias (8.7% vs. 5.3%; OR: 1.72, p < 0.0001). Readmission rates (1.97% vs. 1.54%; p = 0.248) were similar. Two-year implant complications were higher in patients with DP compared to controls (16.1% vs. 11.5%; OR: 1.38, p = 0.0003), including dislocations (6.4% vs. 4.5%; OR: 1.45, p = 0.002) and mechanical loosenings (4.0% vs. 2.4%; OR: 1.67, p = 0.001); however, PJIs were similar (2.2% vs. 1.9%; OR: 1.12, p = 0.583). Healthcare expenditures between groups were similar ($12,611 vs. $12,059; p = 0.075). Conclusion Patients with prior DP have higher 90-day medical complications and 2-year implant-related complications. Two-year incidence of PJIs were similar between groups. These findings can help shoulder surgeons counsel patients with a pertinent dental history. Level of evidence III. Retrospective comparative study.