Coimbatore Orthopedic Surgical Fixation Protocol in COVID-19 Pandemic—Our Experience

Ab s t r Ac t Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak became a pandemic across the world after the outbreak in China in December 2019. This study aimed to determine the impact on the emergency orthopedic fixation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Coimbatore. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study done on patients of trauma admitted in the emergency orthopaedic unit, under Tamilnadu Accident and Emergency Care Initiative (TAEI), Coimbatore Medical College Hospital from April 2020 to December 2020. All the patients admitted were evaluated as per the routine protocols followed in this COVID-19 pandemic in our institution and the patients were taken up for emergency orthopedic fixation based on the COVID-19 status. Results: The total number of emergency orthopedic surgical fixation procedures done during the pandemic period from April 2020 to December 2020 was 245. Orthopedic surgical fixation done in elective theatres during this pandemic in 2020 is 245 cases. As per the results, during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency orthopedic surgical fixation was not stopped and treated as per the COVID-19 protocol followed in our hospital. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has a major impact on orthopedic surgical fixation. All the patients admitted should be evaluated for the COVID-19 infection and use of adequate personal protective equipment while treating the patients to deliver safe and effective surgical services during this COVID-19 pandemic.