Spine Surgical Procedures during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Is It Still Possible to Take Care of Patients? Results of an Observational Study in the First Month of Confinement

Abstract

Study Design: Observational study.Purpose: The actual sanitary crisis led to a massive mobilization of the sanitary system toward intensive care units and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, some patients still require spinal interventions. The present study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on spine surgical in a moderate COVID-19 cluster region.Overview of Literature: Previous studies have reported screening and management of patients with spinal conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to date, knowledge, no observational study on spine surgeries during the pandemic has not been reported.Methods: Between March 17, 2020 and April 17, 2020, information on spine surgical activity was prospectively collected at our institution. This surgical activity related to the first month of confinement in France was compared to the activity during the same period in 2019 to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical activities.Results: In order to reduce the contamination rate of patients and medical staff during hospitalization, the spine department was completely reorganized. Non-urgent elective spine surgeries were cancelled. When considering the global amount of surgeries procedures during the first month of confinement, a decrease of almost 50% was observed in the number of surgical procedures. During the study period, 62 patients were eligible for spine surgery. The numbers of patients managed for tumor and infectious cases were stable, while a considerable reduction was observed in the number of trauma and degenerative cases. During the follow-up period, two patients were tested as COVID+ during the postoperative course, and no cases of medical or paramedical staff contamination were reported using polymerase chain reaction-testing.Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible to maintain spine surgical activity. Each surgical procedure must be discussed and organized with all the caregivers involved. Indications for surgery must be in line with the scientific guidelines and adapted to each healthcare facility.

The global burden of trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

“…There is an emerging body of evidence which documents the footfall and management of musculoskeletal trauma globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, data exists from hospitals across the world on the change in the presentation of major trauma 10-15 and trauma to the lower limbs 10,11,[16][17][18] , hand 19, 20 and spine 21,22 . In this study, we aimed to perform a scoping review to assess evidence in the current literature from around the world on the footfall, aetiology, operative volume and treatment of musculoskeletal traumatic injuries in J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Current effect of COVID-19 global pandemic on the professional and life profiles of the Egyptian spine surgeons

“…They reported that majority of Indian Ophthalmologists stopped seeing patients during the lockdown with near total cessation of elective surgeries, while the emergency services were still being attended to by 27.5% of the responders. Another study [18] from Marseille, France reporting the possibility to take care of spinal patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported a decrease of 50% of total number of surgical procedures.…”

Evaluating the Strategies for Orthopedic and Spine Surgeries during COVID-19 Pandemic in India- a Retrospective Analysis of 24 Patients in a Multispecialty Hospital- Are We Heading to a New Normal?

“…However, we agree that the cost might go up if patient is Covid-19 positive. Meyer et al also recommended in their patients for spine surgery in France to admit the patients in single room instead of sharing room as a precaution [34]. Additionally we kept all patients in single room instead of sharing room that may further increase the cost to some extent for the less-affording patients who wanted to stay in sharing room.…”

“…Therefore question how long a patient requiring non-urgent but essential surgery will wait that may affect the quality of life raised by Meyer at al. their observational study in France [34]. They pointed out that surgeries must be evaluated according to need of a patient in Figures Figure 1 explains ow chart protocol by the institution for patient's entry in the hospital to the admission process.…”