Surgical Management of Extremity Fractures in COVID-19 Patients

Adel Ebrahimpour; Mohammadreza Chehrassan; Amir Human Hoveidaei; Meisam Jafari Kafiabadi; Mehrdad Sadighi; Alireza  Manafi Rasi; Morteza Sanei Taheri; Alireza Fatemi; Seyed Mohammad Javad  Mortazavi

doi:10.18502/jost.v7i4.8858

Adel Ebrahimpour Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadreza Chehrassan General Practitioner, Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Amir Human Hoveidaei General Practitioner, Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Meisam Jafari Kafiabadi Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehrdad Sadighi Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Manafi Rasi Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Morteza Sanei Taheri Professor, Department of Radiology, Shohada Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Fatemi Assistant Professor, Men’s Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi Professor, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v7i4.8858

Keywords: Bone; COVID-19; Fractures; Orthopedics; Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and potentially affects every person, including fracture patients. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate our primary months’ experience of surgical treatment of fractures in COVID-19 infected patients in order to assist in better decision-making in the next waves of the infection.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 patients with orthopedic trauma and COVID-19 infection were included from 2 trauma centers during February and March 2020

Results: Most of the patients were younger than 40 year of age. The most common COVID-19 related symptom at presentation was malaise, and a hypoxia rate of 85.7% was detected among the patients. Two-thirds of the fractures were in the lower extremities. One patient expired, but all others were discharged with no follow-up complications.

Conclusion: Surgical management of fractures in COVID-19 patients is inevitable. To achieve this, sensitive screening techniques and standard protection measures are essential.