Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedic and Trauma Departments in Tunisia
##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##
Abstract
Objective: Measure the effect of the strategy to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, based on containment, on the practice of orthopedic and trauma surgery in Tunisia.
Methods: This is a comparative study, concerning the impact of Covid-19 on the flow of patients, operated in orthopedic surgery and trauma departments, during the containment period from March 12, 2020 to April 30, 2020, comparing it to the same period of the year 2019, in the Central-East region of Tunisia (Kairouan, Sousse, Mahdia, Monastir).
Results: A significant decrease of 27% in the flow of patients admitted to orthopedic surgery departments in central-eastern Tunisia, during the 2020 containment period, compared to the same period of the previous year was documented. This decrease was generally widespread, notified in three orthopedic departments: Sousse (39%; p<10-3), Monastir (29%; p<10-3) and Mahdia (27%; p<10-3). It focused on the following three groups: infections (45%; p<10-3), wounds (30%; p<10-2), and fractures (20%; p<10-3).
Conclusion: The collateral effects of the strategy to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, are "obvious" in orthopedic surgical practice. A health crisis management plan (including disasters and pandemics) should be better prepared in orthopedic surgery departments.
Keywords:
COVID-19 - Social Isolation - Orthopedics - Traumatology - Orthopedic Surgery - Tunisia.##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##
References
- 1. Benzarti S, Triki MA, Othman Y, Dammak N, Boussetta R, Fredj AB, et al. COVID-19 et Gestion des Urgences Orthopédiques. Elaboration d'un Consensus d'Experts. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(4): 348-354. 2. Blumenthal D, Fowler EJ, Abrams M, Collins SR. Covid-19 - Implications for the Health Care System. N Engl J Med. 2020; 383(15):1483-1488. 3. Ben Abdelaziz A, Benzarti S, Achouri MY, Nouira S, Mlouki I, Yahia F, et al. Counter-COVID-19 pandemic strategy in the maghreb central. Qualitative study of the perceptions of health professionals. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(4): 266-282. 4. Ben Abdelaziz A, Berkane S, Salem KB, Dahdi S, Mlouki I, Benzarti S, et al. Lessons learned from the fight against covid-19 in the greater maghreb. Five lessons for better preparation. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(8): 589-595. 5. Ben Abdelaziz A, Berkane S, Salem KB, Dahdi S, Mlouki I, Benzarti S, et al. Enseignements de la lutte contre la COVID-19 au Grand Maghreb. Cinq leçons pour une meilleure résilience. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(10): 657- 663. 6. Chtourou W. The impact of covid-19 on business: how to deal with it. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(4):314-317. 7. Zouari A. What are the economic implications of COVID-19. Tunis Med. S. Benzarti & al. - Pandémie Covid-19 & Services d'Orthopédie et de Traumatologie 606 2020; 98(4):312-313. 8. Ben Abdelaziz A, Benzarti S, Mlouki I, Achouri MY, Ben abdelaziz I, Yahia F, et al. Attitudes of health professionals towards the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Maghreb. Tunis Med. 2020; 98(5):324-333. 9. Ben Abdelaziz A, Chebil D, Sghaier Z, Nouira S, Benzarti S, Dahdi S, et al. Nine lessons for a better fight against the pandemic of Covid-19 in the Maghreb : Prevent the collapse of Maghreb health systems. Morocco Health J. 2020;(28): 19-26. 10. Wong JSH, Cheung KMC. Impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic and trauma service: an epidemiological study. JBJS. 2020; 102(14):e80. 11. Haffer H, Schömig F, Rickert M, Randau T, Raschke M, Wirtz D, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic and trauma surgery in university hospitals in Germany: results of a nationwide survey. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020; 102(14):e78.