Orthopaedic, trauma surgery, and Covid-2019 pandemic: clinical panorama and future prospective in Europe

Abstract

Purpose This study investigated the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe on consultations, surgeries, and traumas in the field of orthopaedic and trauma surgery. Strategies to resume the clinical activities were also discussed. Methods This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the 2020 PRISMA statement. All the comparative studies reporting data on the impact of Covid-19 in the field of orthopaedic and trauma surgery in Europe were accessed. Only comparative clinical studies which investigated the year 2020 versus 2019 were eligible. Results 57 clinical investigations were included in the present study. Eight studies reported a reduction of the orthopaedic consultations, which decreased between 20.9 and 90.1%. Seven studies reported the number of emergency and trauma consultations, which were decreased between 37.7 and 74.2%. Fifteen studies reported information with regard to the reasons for orthopaedic and trauma admissions. The number of polytraumas decreased between 5.6 and 77.1%, fractures between 3.9 and 63.1%. Traffic accidents admissions dropped by up to 88.9%, and sports-related injuries dropped in a range of 59.3% to 100%. The overall reduction of the surgical interventions ranged from 5.4 to 88.8%. Conclusion The overall trend of consultations, surgeries, and rate of traumas and fragility fractures appear to decrease during the 2020 European COVID pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic era. Given the heterogeneities in the clinical evidence, results from the present study should be considered carefully. Level of evidence Level IV, systematic review.

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Pattern of Fractures in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

“…This was in accordance with a study done in Europe, which conducted a systematic review and revealed that many studies show a decrease in orthopedic consultations, which decreased between 20.9 and 90.1%. Seven studies evaluated the number of emergency and trauma consultations, which decreased between 37.7 and 74.2% [ 12 ]. Also, the Al-Khobar study reported that in the pre-COVID-19 period, the average discharge time was 18.90 ±12.74 days, and during the COVID-19 period, the average discharge time was 4.28 ± 3.52 days [ 5 ].…”

The pandemic is gone but its consequences are here to stay: avascular necrosis following corticosteroids administration for severe COVID-19

“…Other coronaviruses caused epidemics in the past decades, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) [ 3 , 4 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed healthcare systems worldwide with new challenges and considerable organisational efforts [ 5 – 10 ]. Often far-reaching process changes, such as the management of patient flows, had to be implemented in everyday clinical practice within a very short period [ 11 – 15 ].…”

Evaluating Changes in Trauma Epidemiology during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Insights and Implications for Public Health and Disaster Preparedness

“…Previous studies reported a change in trauma epidemiology influenced by the imposed restrictions. A significant decrease in trauma admissions during the COVID-19 lockdown was found [5][6][7][8]. Differences in the most common injury mechanism and mean age were observed during COVID-19 compared to the same period in previous years [9][10][11].…”