TP10.2.3Restarting Elective Orthopaedic Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences and Patient Outcomes

Abstract

AimThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in postponing all non- emergency elective surgeries from April 2020. Restarting elective orthopaedic surgery is important to help people with chronic disabilities. Our hospital successfully restarted elective orthopaedic surgery during the pandemic to help improve the quality of life of patients.This study describes the development of local protocols and pathways to allow for a safe restart of elective orthopaedic surgery in a COVID-19 free ‘green’ site. It also includes the morbidity and mortality outcomes of those patients who underwent non-emergency orthopaedic operations during this time.MethodsA prospective cohort study evaluating patients undergoing non- emergency orthopaedic procedures through a COVID-19 free surgical pathway in a National Health Service acute general hospital in the United Kingdom from 18th May 2020- 10th July 2020. 104 patients were identified and their outcomes during the 2 week post-operative period was recorded.ResultsNo patients developed COVID-19 infection in the two-week post-operative period. There were no intensive care unit admissions or in- hospital deaths during our study time frame. There was no statistical difference found in the development of complications for age (< 70 or >70), gender, body mass index or ASA physical status classification system grades.ConclusionsThis study describes a roadmap to setting up a protocolised elective operating service for orthopaedic surgery. It has shown that standardised protocols in a COVID-19 free ‘green’ site, pre-operative COVID-19 testing and adherence to national guidelines on self-isolation can help prevent developing COVID-19 infection post-operatively.