Search

In an attempt to preserve essential equipment and health care system capacity and slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, Governor Murphy suspended all elective surgeries performed in New Jersey from March 27, 2020, through May 25, 2020. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection following nonelective hip and knee surgery during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey during this time. A retrospective cohort of 149 patients who underwent nonelective hip and knee surgery from March 27, 2020, through May 25, 2020, at 2 institutions was identified. The cohort was divided into hip fracture and non-fracture patients to compare the postoperative experience of these patient populations. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection diagnosed via severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nasopharyngeal real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, discharge disposition, postoperative complications, and mortality rate. A total of 149 patients underwent nonelective hip and knee surgeries, including 76 hip fracture cases and 73 nonelective hip and knee arthroplasty cases. A postoperative diagnosis of COVID-19 was made for 5 (6.6%) of 76 hip fracture patients, and 2 of the 5 died secondary to COVID-19. There were no infections in the arthroplasty cohort. This study describes a low incidence of COVID-19 infection after nonelective hip and knee surgery during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey. Patients who underwent hip fracture surgery had an increased incidence of postoperative COVID-19 infection. [ Orthopedics . 2021;44(3):180-186.].

The purpose of this study was to outline the epidemiologic criteria of humerus fractures after traumatic injuries. All patients admitted to the trauma service at the authors' institution between 2005 and 2011 were entered into a prospective database. The authors obtained data on age, sex, injury mechanism, presence and location of humerus fracture, associated injuries, mortality, Injury Severity Score, treatment, and length of stay. Patients were matched to a group of patients with pelvic fractures with similar Injury Severity Scores to investigate whether significant differences existed between the 2 groups. Of the 11,007 trauma patients admitted, 209 (1.9%) had a humerus fracture. Associated fractures occurred in 154 (73.7%) patients. The mortality rate for all trauma patients during this period was 4.5%; it was 12% among those with humerus fractures and 21% among those with humeral shaft injuries. Several significant differences existed between the humerus fracture group and the pelvic fracture group. Visceral injuries were more common in the pelvic group, whereas associated fractures and head injuries were more common in the humerus fractures group. Age, sex, and length of stay were also significantly different between the 2 groups, but mortality was not significantly different. Humerus fractures in polytrauma patients are often associated with multiple injuries and a high mortality rate, especially for patients with humeral shaft fractures. A comprehensive evaluation of the patient is necessary., (Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.)