Patients with Omicron variant infection can safely undergo elective orthopedic surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is believed to be associated with significantly increased risks of morbidity and mortality. However, there are lack of reports on how infection with the COVID-19 Omicron variant affects the perioperative prognosis. Therefore, this study sought to find out perioperative differences in laboratory test results and complications between orthopedic surgery patients who were COVID-19 positive and negative at admission, to explore whether patients infected with the Omicron variant need to delay their orthopedic elective surgery. Methods A single-center cohort study of 54 orthopedic inpatients with COVID-19 Omicron variant infection were 1:1 matched to those who did not have a history of COVID-19, laboratory parameters including blood routine, inflammatory factors, coagulogram markers and postoperative complications were recorded and compared. Results Differences can not be found in the incidence of perioperative complications and mortality rates between the group infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and the uninfected group, as well as no statistical differences in laboratory test indicators. Conclusions The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant does not appear to pose a huge threat to elective orthopedic surgery, patients with Omicron variant infection can safely undergo elective orthopedic surgery without delay.