The Impact of Covid-19 on Orthopaedic Surgery in Regional Covid-19 Referral Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has been a profound phenomenon affecting the entire world, primarily healthcare systems. Since the first Covid-19 case in Indonesia around March 2020, the healthcare systems and public regulations have been constantly readjusted. In our centre, the pandemic has also had major effects on the orthopaedic and trauma services. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on orthopaedic surgery in Wangaya General Hospital. Method: A cross-sectional study is done retrospectively through medical records among patients underwent orthopaedic surgery from March 2019 to 2021. Pre-Covid control group (March 2019-2020) is compared to Covid case group (March 2020-2021). The parameter of study includes: patient’s demographics, orthopaedic diagnosis, anatomical location, orthopaedic surgery, and type of surgery. T test and chi square test is used for data analysis. Result: Out of the total 916 cases, the number of orthopaedic surgeries is decreased by 42,61% (582 vs. 334 cases; 48,5±10,11 vs. 27,83±4,89 cases/month) on the first year of pandemic. The number of emergency surgeries has escalated significantly with inverted proportion to elective surgeries, such as arthroplasties, implant and benign tumor removal. Polytrauma, lacerations and tendon rupture case has been increased considerably requiring immediate surgical treatment. Conclusion: In response to the pandemic, the objective is to restore high quality healthcare systems by reconstructing newly updated strategies for patient management plan and public regulations during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.