Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4-1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3-4.8), 3.9 (2.6-5.1) and 3.6 (2.0-5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9-2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2-8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4-3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6-2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.

SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri-operative or prior SARS-CoV-2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub-study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was defined as peri-operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1-6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre-operative anti-coagulation for baseline comorbidities was not available. Postoperative venous thromboembolism rate was 0.5% (666/123,591) in patients without SARS-CoV-2; 2.2% (50/2317) in patients with peri-operative SARS-CoV-2; 1.6% (15/953) in patients with recent SARS-CoV-2; and 1.0% (11/1148) in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with peri-operative (adjusted odds ratio 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-2.0)) and recent SARS-CoV-2 (1.9 (95%CI 1.2-3.3)) remained at higher risk of venous thromboembolism, with a borderline finding in previous SARS-CoV-2 (1.7 (95%CI 0.9-3.0)). Overall, venous thromboembolism was independently associated with 30-day mortality ). In patients with SARS-CoV-2, mortality without venous thromboembolism was 7.4% (319/4342) and with venous thromboembolism was 40.8% (31/76). Patients undergoing surgery with peri-operative or recent SARS-CoV-2 appear to be at increased risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism compared with patients with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Optimal venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment are unknown in this cohort of patients, and these data should be interpreted accordingly.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of different types of femoral fractures post-motor vehicle accident (MVA) based on fracture location: proximal, middle and distal. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all femoral fracture post-MVA x-ray charts carried out at the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between November 2007 to December 2013. Results: Among the 471 patients reviewed, most fractures were in male (87%) compared with female (13%) victims, with breaks more in the right femur (56%) than the left femur (44%). As for location of the femur fracture, middle fractures (64%) exceeded proximal (26%) and distal fractures (10%). The most common age group was between 16-30 years, representing 56% of these fractures. Conclusion: Prevalence of the femur fracture location varies depending on gender, age, and other factors.

Objectives: To measure the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA); in total joint arthroplastyin terms of reducing post-operative blood loss.Methods: A retrospective cohort study in which patients who had underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and TKA between 2010-2018 in a single tertiary center. Those had received TXA (group 1) and those who had received no-TXA (group 2) were evaluated. Unpaired student's t-test was used to compare TXA and no-TXA groups for continuous variables and Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 385 patients were included, 180 patients received TXA, and 205 patients received no-TXA. Post-operative blood loss was significantly less in TXA group (13.41±9.51, p<0.001). Total drainage output was significantly lower in TXA group compared to no-TXA (373.98±246.12 vs. 487.11±307.13 mL, p<0.001). Blood transfusion units were significantly less in TXA group than in the control group (20 units; 11.1% vs. 50 units; 24.4%, p<0.001). Conclusion:Tranexamic acid use in TKA and THA is effective in reducing post-operative blood loss in terms of drop in Hg level, total drainage output and blood transfusion rate.