IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SURGICAL ACTIVITY OF AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND TRAUMATOLOGY SERVICE IN A SECONDARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has changed the behavior of health care in the world, and consequently, it has affected surgical activity. Related to orthopedic surgery and traumatology, a decrease of up to a third has been observed according to published series. But a secondary center may need more adjustments than a first level one. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study, comparing data from the first Sate of Alarm (03/14/20 - 06/21/20) with the same period of 2019. The number of surgeries, hospitalizations and diagnoses were selected as primary outcomes, and injury mechanisms, kind of surgeries and differences in time to surgery as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Surgical activity went from 462 cases in 2019 to 190 cases in 2020 (59% less). The main reason for intervention during the State of Alarm was fractures, with 129 cases out of the total (compared to 167 in 2019); being orthopedics in 2019 (178 cases compared to 40).The most frequent fracture in both groups was the hip fracture, with 71 cases in 2019 compared to 59 in 2020.Accidents on public places, associated with sports practice and related to traffic, were reduced by 1/3. CONCLUSIONS: A more striking reduction in surgical activity is observed than that reflected in other series, probably due to the case of programmed surgery. Perhaps in centers with greater capacity this measure is not that necessary. In the same circumstances, up to 50% of the ORTR staff could be used to treat other pathologies safely.