Wound Dehiscence, a Potential Complication of Total Knee Arthroplasty in a COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Amir Hosein Mafi; Hesam Toofan; Alireza  Moharrami; Milad Salehi; Mohammad  Ayati Firoozabadi

doi:10.18502/jost.v9i2.12630

Amir Hosein Mafi Resident, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hesam Toofan Knee Surgery Fellowship, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Moharrami Resident, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Milad Salehi Resident, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ayati Firoozabadi Associate Professor, Knee Surgery Fellowship, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Imam Khomeini Complex Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v9i2.12630

Keywords: COVID-19; Knee Arthroplasty; Surgical Wound Dehiscence

Abstract

Background: Dehiscence of the wound is an infrequent complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA); numerous risk factors are responsible for this. This study aims to represent a case who underwent TKA, was infected with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) soon afterward, took corticosteroid as an immunosuppressive agent to resolve COVID-19 symptoms, and presented with wound dehiscence with minor trauma in early postoperative follow-ups.

Case Report: A 62-year-old man underwent TKA, and soon after discharge from the hospital, he was hospitalized with COVID-19. A corticosteroid was started for the patient, and a traumatic impaction occurred on his operated knee after he fell in the hospital. As a result, wound dehiscence was performed on the operated knee.

Conclusion: Numerous risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and corticosteroid consumption are implicated as known risk factors for wound dehiscence after TKA, which must be followed precisely to prevent the unfortunate development of such complications. Postoperative care must be considered in patients at risk for wound dehiscence. In the presented case, wound management was fulfilled with proper timing of irrigation and debridement without any prosthesis component exchange.