Descriptive analysis of pediatric orthopedic surgical emergencies during the COVID-19 lockdown: Single-center observational study in a pandemic red-zone area in France.

INTRODUCTION: Lockdown involved strict confinement of children at home, radically affecting their way of life, with increased risk of domestic accidents and the temptation to step outside of the legal framework. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of lockdown on pediatric emergency turnover in a university reference center situated in a high-risk "red zone" and to describe specific management measures. HYPOTHESIS: Pediatric emergency turnover and the corresponding lesion mechanisms were altered by lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children undergoing emergency orthopedic surgery during lockdown (group 1) were prospectively included, then retrospectively compared to series operated on during the same period in the previous 3 years. Demographic and surgical data were analyzed, and the pathway changes that were developed were detailed. RESULTS: Turnover fell by a mean 33.5%, without change in indications. The most frequent lesions were wounds (54.3%), followed by fractures (34.3%) and infections (11.4%); the upper limbs were involved in 84.6% of cases. Lockdown had been infringed in 9.7% of traumas, mainly concerning fractures (55%). Postoperative management was modulated during lockdown in 34% of cases, without complications at the time of writing. DISCUSSION: Pediatric emergency turnover decreased, without major change in lesion mechanisms. Accidents associated with lockdown infringement were rare (<10%), demonstrating good adaptation on the part of these children living in an urban area. The adapted care pathway was beneficial, and will no doubt continue to optimize management in future, with accelerated circuits and use of telemedicine. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, comparative retro-prospective study.

Description de l’activité d’urgence en orthopédie pédiatrique durant la période de confinement liée à la maladie du coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) : étude observationnelle monocentrique en zone rouge de pandémie Descriptive analysis of pediatric orthopedic surgical emergencies during the COVID-19 lockdown: single-center observational study in a pandemic red-zone area in France

RÉSUMÉ Introduction: Le confinement a imposé un maintien strict des enfants à domicile, modifiant considérablement leur mode de vie avec un risque accru d’accidents domestiques et la tentation de désobéir au cadre légal. L’objectif était d’analyser l’impact du confinement sur l’activité d’urgence pédiatrique dans un centre universitaire de référence situé en zone rouge, et de décrire les modes de prise en charge spécifiques. Hypothèse: L’activité chirurgicale d’urgence ainsi que les mécanismes lésionnels en orthopédie pédiatrique ont été modifiés par le confinement. Matériels et Méthodes: Tous les enfants pris en charge au bloc opératoire pour une urgence orthopédique pendant le confinement (groupe 1) ont été inclus de façon prospective, puis comparés de manière rétrospective aux patients opérés lors des mêmes périodes les 3 années précédentes. Les données démographiques et chirurgicales ont été analysées, et les circuits spécifiques instaurés ont été décrits. Résultats: Une diminution moyenne de 33,5% de l’activité a été constatée, sans modification des motifs de prise en charge. Les lésions les plus fréquentes étaient les plaies (54,3%), suivies des fractures (34,3%) et des infections (11,4%) et concernaient le membre supérieur dans 84,6% des cas. Le cadre légal était non respecté dans 9,7% des traumatismes et occasionnant principalement des fractures (55%). La prise en charge postopératoire a été modifiée durant le confinement dans 34% des cas, sans complication à ce jour. Discussion: Nos résultats ont retrouvé une diminution de l’activité d’urgence pédiatrique sans modification majeure des mécanismes lésionnels. Les accidents survenant en dehors du cadre légal sont demeurés rares (<10%), témoignant de la bonne adaptation des enfants vivant en zone urbaine. L’adaptation du parcours patient qui a été utile pendant le confinement, a été efficace, et va sans doute permettre de continuer à optimiser la prise en charge dans le futur, avec des circuits raccourcis et la télémédecine. Niveau de preuve: IV;Etude comparative rétro-prospective.

The role of a pediatric tertiary care center in avoiding collateral damage for children with acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 outbreak.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown on management and outcomes of children with acute appendicitis. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including children treated for acute appendicitis (January 20th-May 11th, 2020). The data regarding the severity of appendicitis and outcome were collected and compared for two time periods, before and after the nationwide lockdown (March 17th, 2020). RESULTS: The number of cases of acute appendicitis increased by 77% during the lockdown (n = 39 vs. n = 69, p = 0.03). During the lockdown, children treated for appendicitis were older (11.1 vs. 8.9 years, p = 0.003), and were more likely to live more than 5 km away from our institution (77% vs. 52%, p = 0.017). Less children had previously consulted a general practitioner (15% vs. 33%, p = 0.028), whereas more children were transferred from other hospitals (52% vs. 31%, p = 0.043). There was no difference in terms of length of hospital stay, rate of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, ER visits, and readmissions between both periods. Three children (4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 and appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in the number of children with appendicitis managed at our hospital during the COVID-19-related lockdown, management, and outcome remained similar. Although our pediatric center was strongly affected by this pandemic, maintaining our prior practice strategies for acute appendicitis avoided the occurrence of collateral damage for those children.