Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on surgical management of musculoskeletal oncology patients: a multi-center prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on surgical management of musculoskeletal oncology patients. Methodology: A total of 76 patients were identified and included in this observational study for which data was collected from the databases of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar & Dr. Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from March till August 2020. Patients having malignant bone and soft tissue tumours and locally aggressive benign tumours were included in this study. All the patients underwent PCR investigation for SARS-CoV-19 virus pre-operatively and surgeries were performed in PCR negative and asymptomatic PCR positive patients only, with protective equipment.