Orthopedic surgery case load and regional anesthesia practice trend at a tertiary care hospital during first wave of covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate regional anesthesia practice trend in orthopedic surgeries during first three months of pandemic, April-June 2020 and compared with corresponding duration before it started. Tracheal intubation is considered one of the high-risk aerosols generating procedure and potential to transmit infection 6.6 times higher among those who are directly involved in airway management. The evidence for patient, surgical, institutional, and environmental benefits provided by regional anaesthesia is growing and are greatest when general anaesthesia can be avoided. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort and included all adult patients, who underwent orthopedic surgical procedures from 1st January 2020 to 30th June 2020, at Aga Khan University Hospital. Procedures done under general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, patients who had central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks performed for anesthesia and/or analgesia were included.