Abstract
IntroductionAlthough Covid-19 and especially lockdown periods have affected our everyday live, its impact on hand traumatology is under investigated.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed all patients presenting at a FESSH accredited HTRC and level 1 trauma center in Germany during the Covid-19 lockdown period and an equivalent timeframe in 2019 regarding incidence of hand trauma, injury mechanism, type of injury and hand surgeries.Results338 patients presented at our department with acute hand injuries. A significant reduction of work-related accidents was found during lockdown contrary to an increase of do-it-yourself related trauma. Although the incidence of hand trauma decreased during lockdown by 18%, the rate of hand surgery increased in absolute and relative numbers.ConclusionsAlthough Covid-19 has negatively impacting elective and semi-elective surgeries, acute hand surgery has gained in importance represented by a shift from work related to do-it-yourself trauma and an increased rate of surgical treatment.Level of evidenceIV (therapeutic).
Highlights
Covid-19 and especially lockdown periods have affected our everyday live, its impact on hand traumatology is under investigated
The goal of the present study was to retrospectively analyze all patients presenting at a FESSH accredited HTRC and level 1 trauma center in Germany during the lockdown period (March 18th until May 14th 2020) and to compare them to the equivalent timeframe in 2019 regarding trauma mechanisms and patient related factors
In total 338 patients presented at our department within the two defined periods
Summary
Covid-19 and especially lockdown periods have affected our everyday live, its impact on hand traumatology is under investigated. Conclusions Covid-19 has negatively impacting elective and semi-elective surgeries, acute hand surgery has gained in importance represented by a shift from work related to do-it-yourself trauma and an increased rate of surgical treatment. Hospitals intended to reduce the number of elective surgeries—especially those with possible need for postoperative intensive care, in order to provide ventilation units for Covid-19 patients. While it has been shown, that the total number of medical emergencies has dramatically decreased during the lockdown period [3, 4], its impact on hand injuries is broadly under investigated
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