Changes in acute and trauma hand surgery in the first Covid-19 lockdown in a German trauma center: a retrospective analysis of 338 cases.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Although Covid-19 and especially lockdown periods have affected our everyday live, its impact on hand traumatology is under investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed all patients presenting at a FESSH accredited HTRC and level 1 trauma center in Germany during the Covid-19 lockdown period and an equivalent timeframe in 2019 regarding incidence of hand trauma, injury mechanism, type of injury and hand surgeries.

RESULTS:

338 patients presented at our department with acute hand injuries. A significant reduction of work-related accidents was found during lockdown contrary to an increase of do-it-yourself related trauma. Although the incidence of hand trauma decreased during lockdown by 18%, the rate of hand surgery increased in absolute and relative numbers.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although Covid-19 has negatively impacting elective and semi-elective surgeries, acute hand surgery has gained in importance represented by a shift from work related to do-it-yourself trauma and an increased rate of surgical treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

IV (therapeutic).

• Authors: Marie-Luise Klietz, Matthias M Aitzetmüller, Johannes Glasbrenner, Michael J Raschke, Martin F Langer, Simon Oeckenpöhler
• Journal: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery (Arch Orthop Trauma Surg) Vol. 142 Issue 6 Pg. 1289-1299 (Jun 2022) ISSN: 1434-3916 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 35179633 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Topics

• COVID-19
• Communicable Disease Control
• Hand (surgery)
• Hand Injuries (epidemiology, surgery)
• Humans
• Retrospective Studies
• SARS-CoV-2
• Trauma Centers