Journal of Orthopedic and Spine Trauma (Apr 2022)

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,
  • SM Javad Mortazavi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v7i4.8858
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 4

Abstract

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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.

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