Variety of hand surgery cases during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences from seven countries

Abstract

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the practice of hand surgery in the world. The aim of this study is to learn and describe the variety of operated hand surgery cases between countries during the pandemic. Methods: Eight authors from seven countries collected data of hand surgery patients that they operated on within a 1-month study period. Age, gender, diagnosis, procedure, mechanism of injury, object causing injury, place of injury occurrence, type of anesthesia, and COVID-19 screening were recorded for emergency patients. We also noted the reasons for elective surgeries during the pandemic. Results: A total of 124 operated emergency patients and 19 elective patients from all 8 hand surgeons in 7 countries were reported within the study period. Fractures were found in 33.1% of 124 emergency patients, soft-tissue injuries in 39.5% of patients, combined fracture and soft-tissue injuries in 25% of patients, and infection in 3 patients. The most frequent mechanism of injury was the blunt mechanism (49.2%). Home and workplace injuries were 44.4% and 30.6% of emergency cases, respectively. Turkey presented the highest number of emergency patients (71 patients). Most injuries occurred in workplaces (49.3%) and homes (42.3%), with the predominance of penetrating mechanism of injury (47.9%). Excluding Turkey the other six countries were grouped, home and road injuries were the highest (47.2% and 37.7%, respectively). Elective hand surgeries were performed in only four countries. Implant removal (seven patients) was the most frequently performed. No patient was diagnosed with COVID-19. Conclusions: Hand surgery cases during the pandemic differed between institutions represented in this study, due to differences in restriction policies, demographics, and types of hospital. The surgical resources for possible outbreaks in the future must be prepared accordingly.