COVID-19 Resource Catalog-The Orthopaedic Forum: Surgical Considerations in Patients with COVID-19

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This article discusses surgical considerations and protocols for orthopaedic surgeons operating on patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections. The article emphasizes the need to protect the surgical team while providing effective surgical care. Preoperative considerations include rationalizing the indications and timing of surgical procedures, with conservative management being preferred where possible. Urgent cases, such as life and limb-threatening injuries, proceed with the surgical team wearing full protective gear. Intraoperatively, precautions such as regional anesthesia techniques and surgical masks on patients are recommended to minimize aerosol transmission. Surgical teams are divided into "contaminated" and "clean" teams, and equipment and implant choices should be carefully considered. Postoperatively, strict infection control measures are followed, including the removal of used gear in a negative-pressure anteroom and patient recovery within the operating room itself. The article also highlights the importance of collaborating across services and disciplines to ensure proper infection control. Overall, these recommendations aim to minimize occupational exposure to COVID-19 and protect both surgical teams and patients during surgical procedures.

Asset Subtitle

What Orthopaedic Surgeons Should Know

Keywords

surgical considerations

COVID-19 infections

protective gear

preoperative considerations

urgent cases

aerosol transmission

contaminated teams

infection control measures

patient recovery

occupational exposure