PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME OF HIP FRACTURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Camblor Valladares, A; Lanuza Lagunilla, L; Suárez-Anta Rodríguez, P J; Meneses Gutiérrez, A; García Arias, A; Cabria Fernández, J; Riera Campillo, M; Mateo Negreira, J

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic caused by the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus has generated unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems. Higher mortality rates have been reported in elderly patients. Those with a hip fracture are especially vulnerable. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in which we analyzed the management and associated perioperative complications rate in patients aged over 65 years who attended a tertiary hospital in Spain with hip fracture during the COVID-19 first alarm status decree . We compared the results with a cohort of similar patients treated during the same period in 2019. RESULTS: A total of 102 hip fractures were recorded in 2019, with a mean age of 85 years. 87.5% were treated surgically in our hospital, with mean waiting time of 4.6 days and mean stay of 11.3 days. In 2020, 107 hip fractures were recorded, with a mean age of 86 years. A total of 74.6% underwent surgery in our center, with a mean waiting time of 2.8 days and a mean hospital stay of 10.9 days. The rate of major complications and exitus was 8.9% and 6.7% respectively in 2019, and 9.4% and 7.8% in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The number of hip fractures increased despite the declaration of the state of alarm in comparison with the decrease in the rest of the trauma emergencies. During this period the mean waiting time for surgery was shorter. There was no relevant variation in the demographic characteristics of the patients, nor in the rate of complications and reported exitus.