Postoperative complications in patients with diabetes undergoing total ankle replacement: A 30-, 90-, and 365-day analysis

Diabetes mellitus is a well-known risk factor for postoperative complications. This study compared the rates of postoperative complications at 30, 90, and 365 days in patients with diabetes mellitus and without diabetes mellitus undergoing total ankle replacement. A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent total ankle replacement from 2008-2023 was conducted using the TriNetX database. The outcomes of infection, periprosthetic fracture, deep vein thrombosis, wound dehiscence, and pulmonary embolism were analyzed. Data was assessed at 30, 90, and 365 days postoperatively using chi-square analysis, followed by calculation of odds ratios. A total of 5,848 patients were identified and 960 patients each remained in the diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus groups after propensity matching. Patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing total ankle replacement had higher rates of infection and wound dehiscence at 90 and 365 days postoperatively. At 90 days, both infection and wound dehiscence were significantly increased. Similarly, at 365 days, the odds of infection and wound dehiscence remained significantly elevated compared to non-diabetic controls. No significant differences were observed in periprosthetic fracture, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism at any postoperative internal.