Perspectives and Consensus among International Orthopaedic Surgeons during Initial and Mid-lockdown Phases of Coronavirus Disease

Abstract

With a lot of uncertainty, unclear, and frequently changing management protocols, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the orthopaedic surgical practice during this pandemic crisis. Surgeons around the world needed closed introspection, contemplation, and prospective consensual recommendations for safe surgical practice and prevention of viral contamination. One hundred orthopaedic surgeons from 50 countries were sent a Google online form with a questionnaire explicating protocols for admission, surgeries, discharge, follow-up, relevant information affecting their surgical practices, difficulties faced, and many more important issues that happened during and after the lockdown. Ten surgeons critically construed and interpreted the data to form rationale guidelines and recommendations. Of the total, hand and microsurgery surgeons (52%), trauma surgeons (32%), joint replacement surgeons (20%), and arthroscopy surgeons (14%) actively participated in the survey. Surgeons from national public health care/government college hospitals (44%) and private/semiprivate practitioners (54%) were involved in the study. Countries had lockdown started as early as January 3, 2020 with the implementation of partial or complete lifting of lockdown in few countries while writing this article. Surgeons (58%) did not stop their surgical practice or clinics but preferred only emergency cases during the lockdown. Most of the surgeons (49%) had three-fourths reduction in their total patients turn-up and the remaining cases were managed by conservative (54%) methods. There was a 50 to 75% reduction in the number of surgeries. Surgeons did perform emergency procedures without COVID-19 tests but preferred reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR; 77%) and computed tomography (CT) scan chest (12%) tests for all elective surgical cases. Open fracture and emergency procedures (60%) and distal radius (55%) fractures were the most commonly performed surgeries. Surgeons preferred full personal protection equipment kits (69%) with a respirator (N95/FFP3), but in the case of unavailability, they used surgical masks and normal gowns. Regional/local anesthesia (70%) remained their choice for surgery to prevent the aerosolized risk of contaminations. Essential surgical follow-up with limited persons and visits was encouraged by 70% of the surgeons, whereas teleconsultation and telerehabilitation by 30% of the surgeons. Despite the protective equipment, one-third of the surgeons were afraid of getting infected and 56% feared of infecting their near and dear ones. Orthopaedic surgeons in private practice did face 50 to 75% financial loss and have to furlough 25% staff and 50% paramedical persons. Orthopaedics meetings were cancelled, and virtual meetings have become the preferred mode of sharing the knowledge and experiences avoiding human contacts. Staying at home, reading, and writing manuscripts became more interesting and an interesting lifestyle change is seen among the surgeons. Unanimously and without any doubt all accepted the fact that COVID-19 pandemic has reached an unprecedented level where personal hygiene, hand washing, social distancing, and safe surgical practices are the viable antidotes, and they have all slowly integrated these practices into their lives. Strict adherence to local authority recommendations and guidelines, uniform and standardized norms for admission, inpatient, and discharge, mandatory RT-PCR tests before surgery and in selective cases with CT scan chest, optimizing and regularizing the surgeries, avoiding and delaying nonemergency surgeries and follow-up protocols, use of teleconsultations cautiously, and working in close association with the World Health Organization and national health care systems will provide a conducive and safe working environment for orthopaedic surgeons and their fraternity and also will prevent the resurgence of COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19 - consensus - recommendations - orthopaedics surgery - initial and mid-lockdown phases - rationale treatment

Introduction

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a dreadful pandemic, there have been many uncertainties and indecisiveness[1] in the protocols for managing orthopaedic surgery and its allied specialty cases. There has been no uniform standard for the orthopaedic surgical practice because of multifarious differences among countries. Besides, geographical and wide economic variations among countries, adopting different norms to suit their patients, influence of local government or national health care systems and their policies, partial dependence on private health care services, lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) kits, respirators (N95 mask/FFP3), and medicines, and constantly changing protocols during the pandemic crisis influenced the orthopaedics practice to a large extent.

Many countries have perceptibly seen a paradigm shift in their selection of cases and reformulated the operating procedures during this time. Being an emergency or an elective procedure, there is a stringent recommendation among all surgeons across the borders to prevent the risk of coronavirus infection. Overall there is a significant impact of COVID-19 in daily orthopaedics practices, shifting the focus to conservative management. Apart from government hospitals and national health care systems, this reduction in the number of surgeries indirectly had repercussions in the private sectors, producing financial constraints and staff furloughs. For reducing human contacts, surgeons have focused on teleconsultations and telerehabilitation which had considerable consequences on the quality of care and partly abraded moral and ethical responsibility. This article envisages construing the real-time data, facts, patent selection criteria, operating standards, admission and discharge arrangements, safe surgical protocols, difficulties, and the fear faced in social life with inputs from 100 orthopaedic surgeons from 50 countries in the current pandemic situation.

Based on the inputs, we propose rationale and practical recommendations for safe orthopaedics surgical practice. The consensus from these 100 surgeons could pave ways for implementing it as “International Orthopaedic Surgeons’ recommendations and consented guidelines for safe surgical practices during this early and mid-phase of COVID-19.”

Materials and Methods

An online survey with a set of questionnaires was sent to 50 countries’ volunteered orthopaedic surgeons (n = 100) through Google between May 20 and 27, 2020. The responses were kept confidential and interpreted. The participants included were surgeons of various specialties: orthopaedic and trauma, pediatric orthopaedic, spine, arthroscopy, arthroplasty, pelvis and acetabular surgery, hand and microsurgery, shoulder and elbow surgery, and foot and ankle surgery.

The quantitative results obtained from this study were compiled and sent to 10 different orthopaedic surgeons who have 15 or more years of active practice in the field of orthopaedic surgery. The results are qualitatively analyzed and sent back to the corresponding author with several recommendations. Based on both quantitative and qualitative analyses, these recommendations were again proposed to the 100 orthopaedic surgeons involved in the study. A consensus was achieved relying on three types of responses: agreed, disagree, or suggestion/abstain. A 50 to 75% agree or disagree response formed a majority and strong consensus. Greater than 75% forms a super majority and a very strong consensus. Besides, valid suggestions and critical corrections were included at this juncture from all participating surgeons to refine the consensuses.

Results

One hundred orthopaedic surgeons of various subspecialties participated in the study from 50 countries ([Fig. 1]). Three surgeons wanted the identity as anonymous. The response was rapid in 45% of the participating surgeons with a mean of 45 minutes (range: 10 minutes to 23 hours) and remaining responded in a mean 3.5 days. All other surgeons who accepted the survey but could not submit the forms in time due to work schedule and technical issues were excluded from the study. The mean case of the study as on May 27, 2020 was 39,820 (range: 70–336,000). Lockdown was started as early as January 24, 2020 in China, followed by many other countries ([Table 1]). Few countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Sweden which participated in this study had no official lockdown but followed strict social distancing, avoidance of using public transports and nonessential services, aggressive testing, contact tracing, isolation, and hygienic measures to contain the COVID-19. United Arab Emirates had lockdown between 8 pm and 6 am; Turkey had irregular lockdown periods with strict home stay for persons older than 65 years and younger than 20 years ([Fig. 2]).

Table 1 Current status of lockdown in 50 countries (as of May 31, 2020)

Complete lift of lockdown	Partial	Phased release/stage manner lockdown countries
Japan, Sweden South Korea, Taiwan	Argentina, Spain, Egypt, Romania, Republic of Kosovo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Germany Unites States, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Iran, Nigeria, Bulgaria, Jordan, Switzerland, France, Italy, Norway, India, United Kingdom	Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia, Canada, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Algeria, Thailand, Nepal, Colombia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Libya, Mexico, Bolivia, Poland, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Peru

Fig. 1 100 orthopaedic surgeons from 50 countries dealing with one COVID-19. A pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China was first reported to the WHO Country Office in China on December 31, 2019.The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020.On February 11, 2020, WHO announced a name for the new coronavirus disease: COVID-19.

Fig. 2 Practice types of the orthopaedic surgeons.

Orthopaedic surgeons working in national health care systems (National Health Service [NHS] trust, etc.) and governmental colleges/hospitals accounted for 44% of the study. Of which, 50% were posted in the pneumonia ward. This decision was taken as a government/national health care policy to ameliorate the physician stress and to manage the overloaded asymptomatic but positive COVID-19 patients in the wards. They were also included in the pneumonia wards’ rosters to look after the sick patients and monitor the staff nurses and paramedical staffs. They were trained for intubation, but none of the surgeons had any chance to perform or did the study.

Rationale

Orthopaedic surgeons are at high risk of infection (1.5–20.7%)[2] because of contaminations from colleagues, outpatients’ clinics, wards, operating rooms (ORs), and intensive care units (ICUs).

Recommendations

If they are working in pneumonia wards and other COVID-19 duties, the risk of infections may be exponentially high. Besides, they face the pressure from inadequate protection from contamination, frustration, isolation, exhaustion, and unable to practice the orthopaedic surgery or its allied subspecialty. It is prudent and necessary to relocate orthopaedic surgeons and utilize their services at the department concerned.

Level of evidence: V

Participant vote: 94% agree; 3% disagree; 3% abstain (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Private/semiprivate practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons as nursing homeowners accounted for 54% in the study. They had shut down their practices (27%) immediate to lockdown and had the option to tailor the clinics and surgeries depending upon the crisis and the need. The missionary hospital (1%), nongovernment organizations (3%), and semiprivate hospitals (5%) were working with poor supply of PPE kits, masks, and other protective accessories. They had worst time in coping up and meeting the daily expenses and working costs. The surgeons working in the private medical college hospitals (21%) had stopped the nonemergency clinics/cases and continued operating the emergencies and emergency clinics.

Immediate Lockdown Status

There were many factors involved in the decision making for the orthopaedic surgeons to continue their normal schedule or to stop the clinics or surgeries or both. Countries like United States, United Kingdom (NHS trust), and other public health care systems were operating upon emergent cases, postponing/deferring surgery for nonemergency cases, and consulting selective patients in the clinics (44%) during the entire lockdown. Of the 54% private practitioners and self-employed orthopaedic surgeons, 27% stopped surgery and clinics.

Subsequent to the lockdown, and gradual resumption of work in their country, 35% surgeons prefer to operate and consult their clinics partly in a phased manner, which consisted of working for 2 weeks and self-quarantining for 2 weeks. Despite some relief and restricted lockdown lift in their countries, private practitioners/nursing homeowners chose the clinics (30%) and surgery (25%) to remain shut. A total of 9% surgeons had completely stopped their orthopaedics practice because of their fear, comorbid conditions, and the age >60 years.

More than 55% of the countries were experiencing some kind of lockdown during the entire study. Japan declared lockdown lift on May 25, 2020 and subsequently many countries such as United Kingdom and India lifted lockdown in a phased/complete manner during the writing of this article. Many countries (54%) still continue to have lockdown and hope to lift partially or in a staged phase. India had demarcated the infected zones as Green—infections free, Orange—sufficiently infected, and Red—severely affected. This demarcation helped them to lift the ban on services such as local transport, supermarkets and grocery and vegetable supply, and promoted gradual return of life activities: Green zone with free movement within the districts, Orange zone with limited access to food supply, and Red zone remained totally contained and put under strict vigilance. All emergencies were attended in time and referred hassle-free ([Fig. 3]).

Fig. 3 Lockdown status among orthopaedic surgeons.

Specialty Surgeons Participated in the Study

The orthopaedic and subspecialty surgeons involved in the study are compiled in [Fig. 4].

Fig. 4 Orthopaedic and subspecialty surgeons involved in the study.

COVID-19 Protocols for Admission

Surgeons (84%) working in private/government hospitals had trained paramedical/emergency room (ER) teams which asked for patient’s symptoms (fever > 38.5°C, cough, fatigue, breathlessness, anorexia, malaise/myalgia, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), travel history, contact history, locality (containment zones) in the hospital reception. If found negative they were registered and allowed to enter inside the hospital premises. Suspected cases, symptomatic patients (44%), and positive travel history patients were isolated, separated, and referred to fever clinic/tertiary government medical college hospitals for COVID-19 tests and further management. Orthopaedics teams (73%) monitored temperature, oxygen saturation, pulse rates, and blood pressure before sending them to clinical consultation rooms or ERs. Strict adherence of 2 meter distancing, frequent hand wash with 70% alcohol-based sanitizers, and no visitor for ambulant/single visitor for nonambulant patients (53–60%) were mandatorily followed in 100% of surgeons’ working places. As a precautionary measure, 44% of patients were contacted through telephone and enquired about the symptoms and travel history. If suspicious symptoms elicited, they were counseled for postponing surgery and treat them conservatively with medicines and splints (22%). In total, 44% surgeons preferred day care surgery. A total of 42% of hospitals had separate COVID-19 rooms for admitting suspected COVID-19 cases (40%) and protocols for checking bed availability at any given point in time ([Fig. 5]).

Fig. 5 COVID-19 protocols for admission.

Rationale

WHO has published a recommendation for health care workers based on the current knowledge of the situation in China and other countries.[3] It has laid strategies to prevent or limit transmission. WHO and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have both laid guidelines for prehospital survey[3] and work-up.[4] [5] [6]

Recommendations for Preoperative Work-Up

COVID-19 risk profile, travel history, and contact history should be collected and scrutinized. Temperature and oxygen saturation should be checked on the day of surgery ([Fig. 6]). If positive findings (fever > 38.5°C, SpO₂ < 90% on room air) are found, the patients should be evaluated with diagnostic work-up before surgery (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and computed tomography [CT] scan chest).

Fig. 6 Recommendations for preoperative work-up (flow chart).

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 94%, disagree: 3%, should be done before surgery: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Management of Nonemergency Cases

Considering the national emergency and critical lockdown, 55% of surgeons deferred surgery and adopted alternative/conservative methods of treatment. Local steroid injections, splints, cast, and oral analgesics were given to patients during the pandemic. Among the nonemergency cases, 37% surgeons found that they had one or more symptomatic patients who were referred to government/private tertiary medical colleges for further evaluation and management. Only 3% surgeons operated on nonemergency cases such as radial tunnel syndrome where working women presented with severe pain restricting their daily activities. Immediate to the surgery, they returned to normal work and were pain-free and happy ([Fig. 7]).

Fig. 7 Management of nonemergency cases.

Rationale

The Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given preferential recommendation for surgery and conservative management.[7] We had modified the questionnaire to suit the orthopaedics practices. They are as follows:

• Low acuity treatment: carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tennis elbow, etc.

• Intermediate: joint replacement, spine surgery, arthroscopy.

• High acuity: open fractures, severe trauma—fractures and dislocations, cauda equina syndrome, compartment syndrome, cancer, highly symptomatic, acute infections, necrotizing fasciitis, and vascular injuries ([Fig. 8]).

Fig. 8 Suggested flow-chart recommendation for selection and management of cases.

Recommendations from Surgeons

• Low acuity: conservative/steroid injections/oral analgesics/splints.

• Intermediate: surgeons’ discretion.

• High acuity: surgery.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: 97% agree, 3% disagree (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 92 to 99).

Patients’ Consent and Information

Patients received information about COVID-19, hand hygiene, and the safe hygienic practices prior to surgery. In addition, surgeons also obtained prior informed consent (87%) and special consent (49%) in bilingual version (English + native language) about the risk of contamination and spread to them during the stay. As a mandatory practice, patients wore surgical mask and protective kits during the stay in the hospital. All elective patients received adequate counseling before surgery (66%) and chances for postponement and counseling for nonemergency case delaying were rendered.

Surgeries Performed during the Lockdown

Distal radius fractures (53%), hand and carpal bone fractures/dislocations (57%), forearm fractures (39%), elbow fractures/dislocations (40%), shoulder (24%), spine fractures, paraplegia and dislocations (17%), pelvis and acetabulum (15%), hip fractures/dislocations (46%), femur fractures (32%), knee (27%), leg, ankle, and foot fractures (28%), microsurgeries (29%), fingertip injuries (45%), soft tissue injuries (37%), amputations (39%), replants and revascularizations (30%), septic arthritis/infections (38%), tendon, nerve, and muscle injuries (50%), open fractures (57%), and emergency surgeries (57%) happened during the COVID-19 crisis in 50 countries. In total, 75% surgeons did all these surgeries in their normal OR; 15% had COVID-19 makeshift ORs where the cases were done; <10% had the surgery done in minor ORs or day-care units or adjacent to ORs ([Fig. 9]).

Fig. 9 List of surgeries done (total: 637 cases).

Orthopaedic Surgery for Elderly and Comorbid Conditions

Orthopaedic surgeons had many challenging tasks in operating on elderly patients invariably associated with comorbid conditions (diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cancer, immunosuppression, and moribund obesity). Domestic falls at home were the main reason for fractures in the elderly population. Distal radius fractures (20%), trochanteric fracture (35%), fractured neck of femur (25%), supracondylar femur fractures (12%), surgical neck humerus fractures (10%), ankle fractures/dislocations (7%), lumbar fractures (5%), acetabular fractures (3%), and other fractures involving the hand and foot were treated by the surgeons involved in the study. Hip fractures and hip and knee surgeries in elderly patients had 15% mortality in this study because of worsened varied existing reasons such as chronic renal failure, urosepsis, and coronary artery diseases. Most of the surgeons (90%) treated distal radius fractures, surgical neck humerus fractures, and hand fractures conservatively with cast/splints and early mobilization.

Both in adults and elderly patients, these 100 surgeons had followed certain protocols before and after the surgery. Based on their suggestions, we propose directions for the presurgical work-up including for emergency and elective cases and the rationale behind.

Rationale

Due to their increased susceptibility to pulmonary infection and increased morbidity[8] [9] because of being bed-ridden and associated comorbid conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes,[10] [11] orthopaedic surgeons operate on the elderly population to enhance early mobilization and prevent risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT),[12] thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality. Given the COVID-19 scenario, elderly patients are vulnerable to developing pneumonia after fractures. So high suspicion with a definite treatment guideline for elderly patients is required.[13] [14] Open fractures and severe injuries require emergency surgery.[15] [16]

Recommendations

• Conservative for distal radius, surgical neck humerus, and clavicle fractures.

• Operative for hip and knee fractures to have early mobilization and prevent morbidity and mortality, DVT, and pulmonary complications.

• Strict infection control measures, anticoagulation, and intensive supportive care.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 78%, disagree: 13%, abstain: 9% (super majority, strong consensus) [95% CI 69 to 85].

Orthopaedics Cases and Percentage of Reduction during the Lockdown

When analyzing the number of surgeries in different countries during the lockdown, marked reductions were noted uniformly. Surgeons (18%) performed less than five surgical cases per month; <5–15 cases in 24%; 16–25 cases in 22%; 26–50 cases in 18%; 51–100 cases in 8%, and >100 cases in 8%. Ten percent of surgeons did not operate during the entire lockdown period. More than half of the surgeons had 50 to 75% reduction in patients’ turn-up for regular clinics.

Again, countries with public health care systems modeled with the government, general taxations, ministry of health control, or insurances, such as United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand had been continuing to operate more than 100 cases per month. Countries with huge populations such as China, India, and Pakistan which depend on partly private and government support had marked reduction in the number of cases (5–25 cases per month). Overall, 63% of surgeons felt three-fourths reduction in their surgical cases compared with their routine schedule ([Fig. 10]).

Fig. 10 Surgery reduction during the lockdown.

Orthopaedics Case Postponement and Catch-Up Procedures

The surgical case reduction automated to backlogs increases their future surgical loads. Worryingly, surgeons expected 27% (n = 25) of patients will not come back for surgery again because of partial relief from conservative management or very long reappointment schedule. On the other hand, if the backlogs kept increasing over a period of time, the surgeons feared burden on the health care systems and catch-up procedures could be hectic and clogged. In total, 50 to 75% of surgeons estimated catch-up procedures could happen in 3 to 6 months or even longer. They firmly believed that mandatory structural reorganization in the entire health care system to deal backlogs of waiting patients must be done diligently and prudently.

Rationale

There have been various discussions in the past on how to address backlogs of surgical cases, whether to increase or extend the operating time into the weekends.[17] The immediate concern from the operating team is physical and mental fatigue because of sudden increase in work burden. Because of this fatigue there is 22% increased risk of medical error.[18] Janhofer et al[18] came up with the solution of intraoperative “microbreaks” for fatigue mitigations and enhanced safety. Besides the authors strategized, surgeons have reduced responsibility, optimized sleep, nutrition, and hydration to maximize surgeon endurance.[19]

Recommendations for Catch-Up Procedures in Orthopaedic Surgery

• Semi-elective cases and intermediate/high acuity should be given preference for surgical work-up in the catch-up surgical list.

• Considerations should be given to surgeons and the team for mitigating physical and mental fatigues.

• A transparent model should be followed.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 97%, disagree: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 92 to 99) ([Fig. 11]).

Fig. 11 Postponement of orthopaedic surgery.

Operating Room Dress Code

The orthopaedic surgeries were performed in their normal ORs in 73% and COVID-19 makeshift ORs with negative pressure control and filters in 18%. Minor ORs and emergency ORs were used in 8%. More than one-third of the surgeons (40%) did surgery with full PPE kits, N95 masks, face shields, shoe covers, and protective glass, with proper donning and doffing techniques before and after procedures. Surgeons (25%) performed surgeries with normal surgical masks, operating gowns, shoes, and usual accessories during and after the procedures, partly attributing to nonavailability, poor supply, and increased demand for the PPE kits and the accessories. More cautiously 5% wore both surgical and N95 masks together during the procedures. Surgeons had perspirations, heat, fogs, and occasional breathlessness wearing the PPE kits and the accessories. Surgeons (2%) preferred (filtering face piece level 1, 2, and 3) FFP3 masks over N95 masks, which are slightly better and advantageous than N95 masks.

Rationale

PPE kits include surgical gloves, water-resistant gowns with long sleeves, a surgical mask, and full-face protection with a face shield. This reduces intraoperative wound contaminations from blood and body fluids, which get sprayed in an area of 2 to 8 meters around the operating table.[20] There are four levels of safety in gowns: level 1(use in minimal risk environment), level 2 (low risk procedures), level 3 (moderate risk), and level 4 (high-risk procedures/infectious diseases). There are three types of face masks protecting the mouth and the nose.

• Single-use face mask: it filters large particles of 3 μm, prevents droplet transfer, and is used by the health care workers[21] to protect and patients to limit COVID-19 transmission.[22]

• Respirators mask[23]: it filters small particles of 0.3 μm and protects against airborne transmission. The European Standard (EN 149:2001) classifies respirator masks into three types: FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3. The N95 mask is FFP2 type which has 95% filtering capacity and provides good protection. FFP3 is an N99 mask, which gives 99% filtration against airborne contamination of 0.3 μm particles.

• Power air-purifying respirator[24]: it was used mainly during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks by the health care workers and persons with high risk of transmission (surgeons).

Recommendations

• Respirators (FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3) are designed to protect against droplets and aerosols (percentage of filtered particles ≥300 nm). N95 masks filter 95% of ≥300 nm particles. Both have high protective potential. WHO recommends all heath care workers should wear a respirator (FFP3/N95).

• Surgical masks are reasonably safe for patients with COVID-19 and health care providers.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: 76% agree, 20% disagree, 4% abstain (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 69 to 86).

Operating Team

Surgeons, OR staff, technicians, radiograph and anesthetist technicians, assistants, ICU staff, and paramedical staff play a crucial role in a successful surgery. Operating orthopaedic surgeon, staff, technicians, and ICU staff worked on roster (28%) and were quarantined for 14 days. In countries (45%) with huge cases of orthopaedics trauma cases, COVID-19 cases, and lack of adequate doctor/staff ratios, the entire team worked on regular schedule without quarantine or break. The operating team worked with PPE kits, N95 masks, and protective accessories (25%) and with normal surgical masks and gowns (45%).

Rationale

The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model[25] provides a good framework for a health care system to critically evaluate the armamentarium of measures to minimize the risk of intrahospital spread and protect its frontline health care workers against occupational COVID-19 infection. It suggested health care workers including doctors to be segregated into two dimensions and the need to get quarantine themselves at regular intervals.[26]

Recommendations

Doctors, staff, and paramedical staff should be divided into teams working on duty rosters with full PPE kits and N95 masks or equivalent. Medical students should be withdrawn from surgical postings. Daily temperature and SpO₂ check should be done. Self-quarantine for 2 weeks is mandated. If symptomatic they need to visit fever clinics for further management.

Level of evidence: V.

Participants vote: 86% agree, 11% disagree, 3% partly (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 78 to 91).

Operating Room

Majority of the surgeons (80%) recommended limited staff and associates inside the OR. They preferred negative pressure ventilation (32%), high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (41%), and centralized (32%) and split air-conditioning (16%). They also insisted for single-use disposable gowns, masks, and accessories (38%), and strict adherence to autoclaving and implant handling (32%). Poor supply of disposable gowns and PPE kits, shortage of implant supply, obligatory use of HEPA filters with frequent air changes, and unenduring change of OR infrastructure such as centralized air-conditioning and positive pressure ventilation to negative pressure ventilation were some of the challenging tasks of the surgeons involved in this study to render safe orthopedics surgical practice during this COVID-19 pandemic ([Fig. 12]).

Fig. 12 Operating room recommendations.

Rationale

ORs are designed with positive pressure and changing it to negative pressure ORs is not easy and cumbersome.[25] [27] Addition of HEPA filters will filter coronavirus (0.125 µm) efficiently and reduces viral load and risk of viral disseminations. ORs have air-conditioning and humidification units with individual atmospheric air inlet and exhaust systems. In positive pressure ventilation, fresh air is supplied to the OR without recycling, and the outflow to the atmosphere occurs via overhead exhaust vents. Improvisation of the existing ORs to produce negative pressure ventilation can help reduce viral dissemination.[28] Nonessential materials are kept away and the operative personal should be reduced to minimum. The rationale behind strict adherence was to prevent the risk of contamination and spread of corona virus.[28] [29] High-speed cutters in cervical spine surgeries and hip replacement surgeries produce aerosol <5 µm and contaminate OR personals.[30] The blood aerosols can reach the upper respiratory tract.[31] Pulsatile lavage will splatter blood and body fluids which are highly infectious.[32] Electrocautery used in surgery which produces smokes (aerosols)[16] is found to have Corynebacterium, papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B.[33] Although limited data are available regarding the corona virus spread while performing such aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) in orthopaedic surgeries, they should not be any exception.

The indication for surgical fixation during this pandemic should be simple, rational, definitive, and expeditious.[34] Joint replacement allows early mobilization. Minimally invasive external fixation should be tried for closed and open fractures.[35] Uncemented[36] and unreamed nails have shorter operative time and potential advantage in reducing respiratory complications and fat embolism.[37]

Recommendations

• HEPA filter, dedicating space for nonessential materials inside the OR complex, separate entry and exit rooms with hand washing, stern donning and doffing methods, meticulous and judicious use of high-speed drills, electrocautery, suction devices, definite surgical procedures (early mobilization), less aggressive external fixators for complex injuries, implant choices (uncemented implants, unreamed nails), and wound wash techniques (pulsatile lavage) are imperative protocols in the OR complex.

• Cleansing should be done using detergent and water followed by use of 1,000 ppm bleach solution for all hard surfaces in the operating theater. The disinfection time should be longer than 30 minutes. The operating theater should be closed for at least 2 hours, and the next operation should be performed after laminar flow and ventilation being turned on.

• The surgeon should remove the gowns, discard used PPE, adhere to hand hygiene, and shower before leaving the OR complex.

• If possible reverse engineer for negative pressure ventilation ORs.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 91%, disagree: 6%, abstain: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 84 to 95).

Anesthesia

Surgeons (60%) preferred regional anesthesia (spinal/epidural/supraclavicular block, axillary block) over general anesthesia for lower limb and upper limb cases with minimal or no sedation. Surgeons (25%) did surgeries of the fingertip injuries and finger fractures under local anesthesia and preferred WALANT anesthesia for hand and wrist injuries (tendon repairs/transfers). Surgeons (15%) opted for general anesthesia when operating head injuries, spine injuries, polytrauma multiple fractures with special precautions during and after intubation. Given that COVID-19 appears to be transmitted via aerosolized droplets with closest person to person contact, all surgeons felt universal precautions and droplet cautions must be followed. The choice of anesthesia technique generally depends on the procedure and patient. All the patients were given surgical masks during the procedure. Surgeons avoided general anesthesia, airway instrumentation, and attendant aerosol generation to prevent risk of airborne transmission ([Fig. 13]).

Fig. 13 Methods of anesthesia used in the study.

Rationale

The major routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission are through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.[38] The AGPs are tracheal intubation, noninvasive ventilation, tracheostomy, manual ventilation before intubation, and bronchoscopy.[39] The risk of infection is 6.6 times higher with general anesthesia.[40] Nausea and vomiting associated with the general anesthesia produce high virulent airborne particles which have serious deleterious effects compromising the respiratory system. Although symptomatic patients are the primary source of infection, asymptomatic subjects may also spread the disease and should not be neglected.[41] Regional anesthesia is recommended over general anesthesia; nasal prongs are used for oxygen supply. Aeration of closed environments, appropriate use of PPE kits, frequent hand hygiene, masks for patients, and surface decontamination are mandatory.[42]

Recommendations

• Local/regional anesthesia with minimal or no sedation is preferred for upper and lower limb procedures.

• General anesthesia should be reserved for individuals who need the most. If performed, follow strict and efficient protocols to minimize aerosol droplet transmission. (PPE, N95 masks, 6-feet distancing from the patient’s head, and postanesthesia care units are mandatory.)

• Patients should wear surgical masks throughout the procedure and if oxygen is required, it should be supplemented by nasal prongs.

• Minimize aerosolization, coughing, and circuit leaks.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 91%, disagree: 6%, abstain: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 84 to 95).

Postoperative Care and Follow-Up

Despite the current situations, 29% of the surgeons still preferred to see the patients as usual on their working day with modifications in their OR and clinics, such as recovering in isolation rooms (disinfected with 70% ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide), restricting visitors’ entry, discharge as day care if possible, shifting to the ICU if needed, and using protective therapy protocols. Our analysis had day-care surgery and discharge by 20% surgeons and patients with extended stay were discharged in less than 3 days by 60% of the surgeons and 7 days by 9% of the surgeons.

Surgeons (9–31%) restricted the postoperative follow-up to a particular day in a week or few days in a week. Fifteen percent of the surgeons preferred teleconsultation (video + telephone calls). Very limited procedures such as suture removal, Kirschner wire removal, and splint and cast applications were done (22%) on selected days on appointment basis. Subsequent follow-up consultations and regular patients’ clinic visits strictly followed safe hygienic measures and social distancing measures such as outpatient/clinic patients (46%) less than five patients per hour, seating arrangements of 2 meter distancing (75%), 50:50 physical–digital consultations (13%), restricting of nonessential materials (26%; books, bags, etc.), and minimal contact and accompanying persons’ entry (39%). Some surgeons (31–34%) preferred normal business schedule as usual like before ([Fig. 14]).

Fig. 14 Post-operative care and follow up.

Rationale

The human coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) can persist on inanimate surfaces in the OR which can be effectively inactivated by surface disinfection procedures, such as using 70% ethanol or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide.[43] [44] [45] Besides, the OR can be cleaned with sodium hypochlorite followed by hydrogen peroxide vaporization as an added precautionary measure.[46]

Symptomatic patients or asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 test positive after the surgery should be kept isolated in the intensive ward of COVID with surgical masks.[30] Theoretically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can potentially worsen symptoms in patients with COVID-19[47] because of their increased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) which enables SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19) to bind to its target cells in the lung. It is prudent to avoid this class of drugs and choose other classes of safe analgesics. A minimum of 1 hour should be planned between the cases to allow the OR to be properly decontaminated with all its equipment.

The face-to-face visits should be limited to urgent cases and selected postoperative care, which include postoperative COVID-19 symptoms, suture removal, evaluation of fracture reduction, and wound dressings.[48] All patients should perform frequent and accurate hand hygiene and wear surgical masks inside the hospital premises, and health care providers should wear PPE kits, nonsterile gloves, face shields, N95/FFP3 respirators or surgical masks if unavailable, and protective glass face shields for droplet precautions.[49] Telemedicine (videoconferencing) is a useful adjunct to conduct nonurgent follow-up and it provides rapid direct visualization of the patients.[50] Besides it enhances telerehabilitation[51] by teaching them exercises periodically, analyzing the range of movements, and further therapy as per the need.

Recommendations

• Day care surgery and early discharge.

• Teleconsultations (video and audio calls) and telerehabilitation.

• In every follow-up visit, patients must wear a mask and be screened for fever/cough/breathlessness.

• Surgeons must wear appropriate PPE kits (a disposable gown, nonsterile gloves, a face shield or goggles, an FFP2/FFP3/N95 respirator, or a surgical mask).

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 91%, disagree: 6%, abstain: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 84 to 95).

COVID-19 Test Positive after Surgery

For all emergency surgeries, the surgeons did COVID-19 test of the patients in the postoperative period and found negative in 87%, and positive in 13% (range 5–15 cases). COVID-19-positive cases were intimated to the local authority, shifted to tertiary care/government medical college hospitals for further follow-up and management.

Recommendations

RT-PCR tests for all elective cases and emergency patients in the postoperative ward. If positive, shift to tertiary care/governmental hospitals for ICU care.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 86%, disagree: 14% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 78 to 91).

CT-Scan Chest

Seventy-seven percent of the surgeons did not recommend CT-scan chest for their patients irrespective of emergency and elective nature. Thirteen percent of surgeons did CT scan chest to find for COVID-19 lung features before surgery in all of their patients. Some surgeons (7–10%) preferred it when the radiographs or RT-PCR results were inconclusive ([Fig. 15]).

Fig. 15 Surgeons’ recommendations for CT-scan chest.

Rationale

So far, the pattern of ground-glass and consolidative pulmonary opacities, often with bilateral and peripheral lung distributions, has remained the chest CT hallmark of COVID-19 infection.[52] Considering the possibility of false-negative PCR results, surgeons recommend diagnosis based on clinical and chest CT findings (ground glass opacities and consolidation). It is also agreed that COVID-19 has, in addition, different lung features and presentations similar to outbreaks such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome ([Table 2]). For symptomatic patients, CT scan is reliable when it is done 0 to 2 days after symptom onset and a delayed CT scan has limited sensitivity and negative predictive value.

Table 2 CT scan chest finding in COVID-19.

CT scan chest findings[52]

Presence of ground-glass opacities Presence of consolidation Laterality of ground-glass opacities and consolidation Number of lobes affected where either ground-glass or consolidative opacities were present Degree of involvement of each lung lobe in addition to overall extent of lung involvement measured by means of a “total severity score” as detailed below Presence of nodules Presence of a pleural effusion Presence of thoracic lymphadenopathy (defined as lymph node size of ≥10 mm in short-axis dimension) Airway abnormalities (including airway-wall thickening, bronchiectasis, and endoluminal secretions Axial distribution of disease (categorized as no axial distribution of disease, central “peribronchovascular” predominant disease, or peripheral predominant disease) Presence of underlying lung disease such as emphysema or fibrosis

Recommendation

CT scan findings such as consolidation, bilateral disease, greater total lung involvement, linear opacities, “reverse halo” sign, “crazy-paving” pattern, and peripheral lung distribution are found after confirmed COVID-19 infection. A routine scan may be required for specific cases.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 49%, disagree: 49%, abstain: 2% (no majority, no consensus) (95% CI 39 to 59).

COVID-19 Tests

All emergency surgeries included in the entire study were done without COVID-19 test and for all elective cases, surgeons kept COVID-19 test (RT-PCR) as mandatory. Still for emergency cases, 40% of the surgeons preferred the COVID-19 test at the time of surgery or sooner in the postoperative period, which could help them to isolate asymptomatic but COVID-19-positive patients for further quarantine, treatment, and official reporting to the government agencies. For all elective cases and nonemergency cases, though RT-PCR testing was mandatory, only 77% of the surgeons did it in their cases and 14% preferred immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing. Lack of testing kits and initial hospital norms to compensate could be the reason. Some surgeons (10%) relied on blood parameters (serum ferritin, interleukins, complete blood counts, C-reactive protein, liver functions test, leukocyte:neutrophil ratios, lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio) for their patients ([Fig. 16]).

Fig. 16 Surgeons’ recommendations for COVID-19 tests.

Rationale

• Serological assays (IgG, IgM) for SARS-CoV-2 are done for identifying groups at high risk for COVID-19 infections.

• Real-time RT-PCR assay is a molecular diagnostic test. The samples from the nasopharyngeal swab have been widely used to detect SARS-CoV-2. This nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) identifies genes specific for screening and confirming the disease. PCR amplification of the viral E gene is a screening test and amplification of the RdRp region of the orf1b gene is a confirmatory test of RT-PCR for COVID-19.

There are several RT-PCR protocols[53] for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA posted by the WHO at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antibody-tests-guidelines.html (updated May 25, 2020 and accessed on May 28, 2020). Testing for IgG and IgM antibodies confirmed the persons’ infection. In general, IgM is one of the first types of antibodies produced after infection and is most useful for determining recent infection, while IgG generally develops after IgM and may remain detectable for months or years.[53]

Recommendations

• Specimens should be collected from nasopharyngeal swab (preferred) and oropharyngeal swab. If not possible then collect from nasopharyngeal aspirates and sputum (if produced) and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with more severe respiratory disease.

• Nucleic acid testing (NAAT) is the primary method of diagnosing COVID-19, which is based on the detection of unique sequences of virus RNA. Real-time RT-PCR detects SARS-CoV-2 genetically.

• PCR testing of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic contacts can be considered in the assessment of individuals who have had contact with a COVID-19 case.

• Screening protocols should be adapted to the local situation. Even the transmission electron microscopy can identify the morphology of the virus (corona-shaped).

• No identified advantage of IgG and IgM antibody assays. Antibodies detected in the patient suggest that infection has occurred and some degree of immunity from infection has developed.

• Surgeons are also aware of false negatives from test reports and hope that advancement in NAAT techniques (e.g., CB NAAT [cartridge-based NAAT]) could possibly reduce the false negativity and open a window for clarity and focus.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 100%, disagree: 0 (super majority, strong consensus).

Emergency Room and Pneumonia Ward Management

Junior residents and registrars (21%), junior consultants (38%), and senior consultants (43%) first received the orthopaedics emergencies in the ER, assessed, and operated them. Several countries (43%) have COVID-19 triage protocols and separated the cases from normal health care services to prevent the risk of contamination. Involvement of junior residents in COVID-19 wards and removing them from their routine orthopaedics duties inevitably interrupt the learning and put them more prone to risk of infection. Countries with national public health care systems and government medical colleges have their orthopaedics surgeons and allied specialists (30%) posted in the pneumonia ward. By this, the patient load (asymptomatic and minimally affected patients) of the physicians and pulmonologists is reduced. Absence of active teaching of the trainees and orthopaedics surgical training for residents has become a reality. Specialists such as hand and microsurgeons were unavailable when really required for their emergencies and technically demanding surgeries.

Rationale

The overall goal during the fight against COVID-19 is to create a system model that allows for appropriate resource allocation (surgeons, specialists, staff, technicians, ICU staff, paramedics, and other health care workers) to provide optimal patient care, while minimizing viral spread to the patients and other members of the treatment team.[54] Health care workers involved in the COVID-19 ward or ICU treatments may remain asymptomatic for up to 14 days.[55] It is prudent and rational to have different teams of surgeons, staffs, and paramedical technicians to work on rosters so that each team can be 14 days away from the work.

Recommendations

Cyclical quarantine among the health care workers and COVID-19 test for suspected team members.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 94%, disagree: 6% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Shortage of Staff and Hospital Supplies

Immediately after the lockdown, hospitals across the globe faced acute shortage of staff (25%), nurses for the ward, ORs, and ICUs because of the transport restriction and initial fear among people about the dreadful virus. In order to meet the initial increasing demands, PPEs, surgical masks/N95/FFP3, and gowns (41%) and medicines (7%) fell short of supply. No free availability of surgical masks concerned 10% of surgeons involved in the study. Mostly, all national health care systems/government medical college hospitals in developed and developing countries jolted during the initial phase, came to stand still in 11% countries, and recuperated gradually with strict lockdown rules and procurement of PPE kits, masks, and ICU instruments (ventilators, monitors, and COVID-19 test kits; [Fig. 17]).

Fig. 17 Shortage of staff and hospital supplies.

Apart from government medical college hospitals and national public health care systems, 70% of private hospitals/nursing homes had suffered a major setback financially; the shortage of manpower forced them to shut down the essential services. Many such hospitals have to furlough their staffs to 25 to 50% and paramedics to 50% of their normal strength and incurred financial constrains varying from 25 to 100% during the lockdown. Doctors and staff employed in the private health sectors faced 50 to 100% salary loss.

Expectation to Normalcy Soon after the Lifting of Lockdown

The suspension of elective surgeries put severe financial strains on the patients, physicians, and the entire health care system in all countries. One-third of the surgeons expected the current situation to improve in 15 days and 24% in 2 months’ time. Surgeons (8.5%) who were maintaining their operating schedule and clinic visits as usual during the lockdown continued the same after the official lockdown lift, and found no difference in the normalcy. Very few surgeons (5%) worried about the future, kept fingers crossed, and waited for changes to happen soon. There are several factors which determine the return to normalcy, which include government policy of lifting lockdown, containment of the virus, flattening the curve, comprehensive protocol analysis based on countries’ local need, and the infrastructure to bring back to normalcy if not fast but slowly and steadily ([Fig. 18]).

Fig. 18 Expectation to normalcy soon after the lift of lockdown.

Rationale

Ceasing elective procedures and other services (master health check-up, etc.) in many hospitals has decreased their revenue and increased their expenses and daily working costs. The cash source was depleted, and the hospital operations were halted.[56] The surgeons would prefer “cherry-picking” and “lemon dropping” surgical procedures avoiding the complex and less revenue surgeries.[57] Since there is a negative economy and financial loss in the private sectors, the compensatory way would be to increase the cost for all surgical procedures and services rendered to the patients. As the medical systems look ahead to resume their elective cases, they require abundant support from the local government and insurance providers, and ways of quick settlements to the hospital. While writing this article, many challenging logistic issues came to the fore that one needs to answer, such as how much and how long to retain employees and staffs, cuts in salary and regular benefits, loan repayments, and hospital maintenance charges. These are crucial in getting private health care providers back to normalcy.[57] Over the past decade, considerations were moving forward to ambulatory surgery centers[58] and outpatient sitting arthroplasties.[59] Multiple systemic reviews have reported these methods as safe and effective.[60]

Recommendations

• As both hospitals and patients are struggling to recuperate in this COVID-19 crisis, mutually benefitting strategic cost-effective and efficient surgical protocols supported by insurance providers and governments could make a big difference for normalcy to return.

• Proposing ambulatory surgery centers and outpatients’ surgeries will disencumber the corona strain placed on hospital systems managing patients with COVID-19.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote:agree: 94%, disagree: 6% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Orthopaedic Surgeons Are No More Surgeons

Focusing their attention toward administrative works (26%), writing, reviewing manuscripts (69%), attending their household works, sharing their views and knowledge through online webinars (65%), and making shifts in working made surgeons no more a surgeon in the lockdown period ([Fig. 19]).

Fig. 19 Pattern of non-orthopeadics works during the lockdown.

Orthopaedic Surgeon Is No More Special

Despite the fact that disclosure can be voluntary, 8% orthopaedic surgeons of different countries got infected (positive COVID-19 test) and 5% tested were found negative during the lockdown. Out of fear, 15% stopped operating and visiting clinics and remained confined in the home. Altruistically, 30% felt the noble service should be extended for emergency cases only and stop nonemergent clinics and surgeries.

PPE Kits and Real Safety Concerns

Fifteen percent surgeons believed the rationality behind the use of PPE kits during the crisis and felt 100% safe, whereas 24% surgeons felt half protected and 25% felt 75% of protection from the risk of viral transmission; 23% surgeons felt unsafe with PPE/N95/FFP3 kits despite the scientific claim and proven facts ([Fig. 20]).

Fig. 20 How safe is PPE kits?

Rationale

Respirator masks (N95/FFP3) show protection factors 11.5 to 15.9 times greater than those of surgical masks.[23] Moreover, a perfect-size and well-fitted mask leads to efficient sealing of the respiratory tract. Intact masks can be worn up to 8 hours continuously.[23] European and U.S. standards for masks used for PPE showed that FFP1 has 80% filtration efficiency for particles of 0.3 μm, N95 (FFP2) has 95%, and N99 (FFP3) has 99%, offering good protection against airborne transmission.[34] The European FFP3, equivalent to the U.S. N99, is recommended for aerosol protection against COVID-19. ​PPE is essential to prevent risk of transmission and cross-infections. A surgical gown which comprises the front area of the gown from chest to knees and the sleeves from the cuff to above the elbow has safety levels 1 to 4.[21]

Recommendations

• Respiratory AGPs, surgeries with high-speed devices (drill, saw, irrigations, etc.), extubating, and ending of anesthesia in the OR require FFP3 masks or powered air-purifying respirators, and face shields or surgical hoods, whereas surgical AGPs only require FFP2 masks.

• Level 4 surgical gowns, face shields or goggles, and double gloves should be used.

• In case of proven or suspected COVID-19 infection, orthopaedic surgeons should use FFP2–3 or N95–99 respirator masks.

• Cleaning of ORs should be done wearing FFP2/N95 or FFP3 masks.

• Caution for reuse and methods needed for reuse of N95 masks: 15 minute exposure to ultraviolet radiation, fumigation with hydrogen peroxide, hot water heating (>56°C [typically 60–80°C] for 30 minutes followed by drying with a hair dryer), steaming (30 minutes of pressurized steam at 121°C), and baking (75°C for 30 minutes).

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 94%, disagree: 6% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Surgeons Are Men of Fear

Fifty-nine percent of the surgeons feared of getting infected and 28% considered them vulnerable to get infected. One surgeon (1%) was getting treatment for their pneumonia associated with COVID-19 while writing this article. At this juncture, we all wish them a speedy recovery and safe return to work soon ([Fig. 21]).

Fig. 21 Fear of infections/self infections

Instantly, 80% of the surgeons feared of their near and dear ones getting infected from them. For which, they had self-quarantined in a separate room/part of the home, facing all odds and obstacles and sacrificing for their love ones.

Rationale

Transmission of COVID-19 can happen in 25% of the orthopaedic surgeons.[2] There were confirmed (20.8%) transmissions of COVID-19 to family members, which always make orthopaedic surgeons feel panicked, depressed, and worried.

Recommendations

• In the case of COVID-19 positive, isolation of orthopaedic surgeons needs self-quarantine and avoid close contact with family members for 2 weeks.

• They can be released when there are complete resolutions of symptoms (temperature returns to normal for more than 3 days, respiratory symptoms are significantly relieved) RT PCR and antibody test is negative on two consecutive occasions (sampling interval ≥ 24 hours).

Level of evidence: IV

Participants vote: agree: 94%, disagree: 6% (super majority, strong consensus).

Orthopaedic Surgeons Are Good Chefs and Readers

Spending lots of time with the wife and kids (44%), helping them in the kitchen (42%), and cleaning and home making (56%) proved that orthopaedic surgeons were the best for their better half. Reading books and journals (70%), watching movies and entertainment channels (48%), yoga (8%), going to gyms and bodybuilding (9%), playing golf, gardening, and playing with the kids were the activities they did to spend their quality time during the lockdown ([Fig. 22]).

Fig. 22 Utilization of time apart from normal schedule during the lock down.

Surgeons Are Not Sprinters

Treadmills (22%), cross trainers (8%), Zumba (3%), You tube exercises (15%), workouts, jogging, bike riding, limited outdoor running, and meditations were performed during the lockdown as their cardiac and physical fitness measures. More than 50% stayed within the home, fearing not to get injured while running/jogging, but utilized the best available time in their interests.

Orthopaedics Surgery and Allied Subspecialty Meetings

Fifty-nine percent of the surgeons favored virtual webinars and limited meetings, and 12% favored webinars only. Interestingly, 23% of the surgeons prefer normal meetings at the conference venues because they take pleasure in face-to-face meet and like the real-time happenings. Zoom Tm (66%), webinars (40%), Facetime (16%), Skype Tm (20%), Google Chat/Duo Tm (17%), WhatsApp videos Tm, Microsoft Teams Tm, Hospital software, and Halo app were the preferred tools for their virtual meetings during the lockdown ([Fig. 23]).

Fig. 23 Orthopedics surgery and allied subspecialty meetings.

Rationale

Virtual learning through webinars, meetings, and online lectures helps participants in various ways; they can record and reproduce the events, can access and share images, and feel at ease in attending during the work and other schedules.[54] It has no personal face-to-face contact, economically productive, and more viable than the real conferences.[61] Video-based education promotes surgical training by providing audiovisual contents on indications, preoperative work-up, OR settings, operative techniques, and postoperative care.[62]

Recommendations

Limited meetings and online webinars are useful resources to implement surgical education in the COVID-19 era.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote:agree: 94%, disagree: 6% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 88 to 97).

Ethical Considerations

Although teleconsultation and virtual meetings have been much improvised to provide better health care, the physician–patient relationship which has been the existing norm for millennia, such as meet and greet, gentle and tender examinations, and shared decision-making, seems to have vanished in the COVID-19 era.

Surgeons who were saviors in eradicating pain and disability have now become warriors against the pandemic disease. He may not be allowed to do his best for his patients and at times he may be compelled to say no to many things in his practice and incontrovertibly treat few of them conservatively. COVID-19 has put the orthopaedic surgeons in a censorious and interpretive position where they have to protect themselves and their family members from viral transmissions and at the same time have to actively indulge in his profession. Few of the surgeons have been terminated from the job and their positions, which imposed significant psychological and financial burdens.

Mandatory Check in for Orthopaedic Surgeons

• Awareness of the current and projected COVID-19 cases in the local community and country.

• Regular and frequent reporting to the concern local authority.

• Making an adequate supply of PPE, medical gases, drugs, and essential stocks available at the practice location and in the country.

• Staffing and paramedical technicians’ availability. Duty roster and shifts.

• Medical officers/ambulatory service location capacity.

• Testing centers in the local community/region.

• Health and age of each individual patient and their risk for severe disease.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote:agree: 97%, disagree: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 92 to 99).

Protecting Yourself and Others from the Spread of COVID-19

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

• Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. Avoid going to crowded places.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands.

• Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, and mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others.

• If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority.

• Stay up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities.

Level of evidence: V

Participants vote: agree: 97%, disagree: 3% (super majority, strong consensus) (95% CI 92 to 99).

Discussions

The surgeons have uniform opinion that everyone somehow will be infected at a certain point of time and 80 to 90% will develop mild-to-moderate symptoms or remain asymptomatic until they all develop herd immunity. Among the vulnerable people of getting infected, fractures and injuries do need more attention and care. Every orthopaedic surgeon has a dual role in his life—surgeon and husband or an individual. As a surgeon he intends to seek updates on the current recommendations in treating fractures and injuries during COVID-19 crisis. Whether to treat conservatively or operate the patients during the pandemic crisis needs certain guidelines and global consensus.

This article outlines the basic, fundamental, and consensual treatment protocols for orthopaedic surgeons. These recommendations are based on scientific research analysis and consensual agreement between 100 surgeons from 50 countries in the world who are dealing COVID-19 actively. As we all know change is life and changes have to happen. The protocols may change over the period of time depending upon the virus resurgence or viral mutations with different presentations or even with its end with simple herd immunity in the community. In the meantime, these recommendations and guidelines will make a perceptible change in the practice of orthopaedic surgeons. As a husband or an individual in the community, he plays a responsible role and a role model through active participation during the pandemic and self-quarantining to prevent the viral spread to his family and the living community.

International consensus and recommendations for safe orthopaedics surgical practice start from delineating the symptomatic from asymptomatic patients by giving special attention to the travel history, contact history, and screening of the elective cases with RT-PCR and in very essential cases with CT-scan chest. All emergency procedures shall be done at the earliest with full precautionary measures (PPE kits, N95/FFP3 masks, face shields, protective glass, footwear, and gowns). Once the patients are segregated, the orthopaedic surgeon judiciously decides the treatment plan based on the acuity level discussed in this article. Low-acuity patients are treated conservatively, and intermediate- and high-acuity patients are to be treated surgically. If negative pressure ventilations or safe ORs with limited manpower are available, a simple, definitive, and safe operative procedure should be performed. Day care surgery is preferred and in the case of extended stay, surgeons should plan for early discharge and follow-up. Full PPE kits with protective accessories should be available for surgeons for the clinics and ORs, and the patients should wear surgical masks throughout the stay in the hospital. Limited follow-up, teleconsultation, and telerehabilitation will prevent the face-to-face contact and the viral transmission. Safe practice at the hospital and home saves one from contaminating the family and community. Virtual meetings, webinars, journals, manuscript writings, exercise, and home making could be a break in orthopaedics surgeons’ life. Proper planning and investments could prevent the financial loss at this time. Be in a pneumonia ward or in an OR in the home, orthopaedic surgeons are one of the real heroes fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many limiting factors in the study. Given the wide geographical variation, socio-economic status, and climate differences, random selection of surgeons of various employment statuses (private/government) from 50 countries to form a consensual recommendation needs comprehensible understanding and balance for the readers. Despite all these constraints, the current recommendations are rational and literature-supported.

All authors agreed that:

• They have no competing interest.

• They did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

• They understood and met the current International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship.

• The survey has not involved any experimentation on humans or animals.

• The survey did not involve patients or volunteers.

Note

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the any country.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Publication History

Article published online:
06 July 2020