Morbidity and mortality in hip surgery patients due to fracture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 epidemic generated major changes in general surgical management protocols. The literature has reported high mortality rates for hip fracture surgery in patients with COVID-19. This study describes the morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery due to hip fractures in 12 Colombian institutions between March and September 2020. METHODOLOGY: This was a retrospective observational descriptive study. Medical records of 12 hospitals were reviewed. Consecutive patients who underwent hip fracture surgery from March 6 to September 6, 2020, were included. Data collected were sociodemographic profile, type of fracture, surgical treatment, complications, and early (1 month) or mid-term (1-6 months) mortality associated or not with COVID-19. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty patients with hip fractures requiring surgery in the 12 institutions were included. 364 (70%) were women; mean age was 77.7 years (SD: 13.8), mean BMI was 25.1, 91.73% of patients had at least one comorbidity, 60.38% were classified as ASA II and 25.77% as ASA III. There were 267 (51.34%) pertrochanteric fractures, 227 (43.65%) femoral neck fractures, and 26 (5.0%) subtrochanteric fractures. 274 (52.69%) patients were treated with osteosynthesis, 244 (46.92%) with arthroplasty, and 2 (0.38%) with girdlestone. Surgery was performed less than 24 h after the fracture for 115 (22.11%) patients, between 24 and 72 h for 208 (40.0%) patients, and more than 72 h for 197 (37.88%) patients. One hundred six patients in total suffered a medical or surgical complication throughout the different follow-up stages, amongst the most frequent were respiratory failure, coronary events, surgical site infection, cutting-out and peri­implant fracture. 25 (4.8%) patients required attention in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 13 patients had COVID-19 throughout the follow-up period. 27 patients died due to any cause, and 3 of them had reported a positive COVID-19 test any time during follow-up period, of which one died during the first month, and two died between 1 and 6 months. Statistically significant associations were found between age older than 75 years old, ASA classification, ICU requirement, and death. CONCLUSION: 520 patients received surgical treatment for hip fracture during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 12 medical centers in Colombia. 21.10% suffered a complication during the early stage (30 days) and 4.77% during the midterm stage (1-6 months). 4.8% were admitted in the ICU during the early stage. All-cause death was 27 patients, early death was 11 (40.74%) and midterm death was 16 (59.25%). 13 patients were positive for COVID-19, 3 died, one (1/5=20%) on the first 30 days and the other two (2/8=25%) from month 1 to 6.

Infiltración periarticular y ácido tranexámico tópico para control de pérdida sanguínea en artroplastia total de rodilla / Periarticular injection and topical tranexamic acid for blood loss control in total knee arthroplasty

Introducción La pérdida sanguínea durante el remplazo total de rodilla es una de las principales variables que influyen en los resultados de esta cirugía para lo cual se han implementado varios métodos para reducirla. Objetivo Cuantificar el cambio en el hematocrito y hemoglobina a las 24 horas postoperatorias en pacientes a quienes se les realizó reemplazo total de rodilla primario entre marzo del 2016 y agosto del 2017. Metodología Se realizó un estudio observacional a partir de una cohorte retrospectiva. Los criterios de inclusión fueron aquellos pacientes a quienes se les realizó reemplazo total de rodilla primaria con infiltración periarticular con bupivacaina con epinefrina, ketorolaco y morfina e intrarticular con ácido tranexámico. Se midieron hemoglobina y hematocrito pre y post operatorio, cálculo de pérdida sanguínea y transfusiones. Resultados Se analizaron un total de 159 reemplazos totales de rodilla (75 prótesis convencionales, 84 prótesis navegadas). El porcentaje de transfusión fue de 0,69% (1 paciente). La disminución del hematocrito promedio fue de 7,36% y la disminución de la hemoglobina de 2,49 gr/dl para una pérdida sanguínea calculada de 780ml. Se usó torniquete en 147 pacientes. Discusión La combinación de uso de torniquete, infiltración periarticular e intra articular de ácido tranexamico reduce la pérdida sanguínea y la necesidad de tranfusiones.

Background The blood loss during the total knee replacement is one of the main variables that influence the outcomes of this surgery, and several methods have been implemented to reduce it. The aim of the study is to quantify the change in haematocrit and haemoglobin at 24hours post-surgery in patients subjected to a total primary knee replacement at the Clinica Colombia between March 2016 and August 2017. Methods An observational study was conducted on a retrospective cohort. The inclusion criteria were those patients who had a total primary knee replacement with periarticular infiltration with bupivacaine, with adrenaline, ketorolac, and morphine, and intra-articular with tranexamic acid. Haemoglobin and pre- and post-operative haematocrit, blood loss calculation, and transfusions were measured. Results The analysis included a total of 159 total knee replacements (75 conventional prostheses, 84 navigated prostheses). The percentage of transfusion was 0.69% (1 patient). The decrease in mean haematocrit was 7.36%, and the mean decrease in haemoglobin was 2.49g / dl for a calculated blood loss of 780ml. A tourniquet was used in 147 patients. Discussion The combination of tourniquet use, periarticular, and intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and the need for tranfusions.