[Preoperative management and patient education in fast-track arthroplasty].

BACKGROUND: Patient management and education are essential for successful fast-track hip/knee arthroplasty. Individual risk stratification as well as educational seminars play an important role in optimizing preoperative risk factors.
OBJECTIVES: Preoperative risk factors are discussed, and optimization strategies are highlighted in the context of the current literature. Further, our own results of an interdisciplinary patient seminar and a patient information app shall be discussed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In addition to the authors' own strategy concerning preoperative patient management and the execution of the patient information seminar and app, the essential papers from the literature will be discussed.
RESULTS: Preoperative risk factors (diabetes, obesity, anaemia, etc.) bear the danger of a prolonged length-of-stay with increased morbidity and mortality. Preoperative optimization can reduce the risk of complications and minimize the failure of the fast-track pathway. Educational seminars and patient information apps may reduce anxiety and postoperative analgesic consumption.
CONCLUSION: A good preoperative patient management in fast-track arthroplasty can reduce the risk of complications and a prolonged length-of-stay. A comprehensive patient education with educational seminars and an app contributes to optimally preparing the patient for surgery.