Impact of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak on pelvic trauma surgical management

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pelvic trauma surgery in Poland. This study comprises 132 consecutive patients admitted for pelvic fracture surgery from 2019 to 2022, separating them into 2 groups; pre-COVID (1 year before the outbreak of pandemic - 2019) and COVID period (in Poland 2020-2022). The data was collected respectively in a single trauma center. Demographic data was collected, additionally, the type of fracture according to Young-Burgess and Letournel-Judet classification system, date of the injury and surgery, the surgical approach and stabilization methods, mechanism of trauma, concomitant injuries, body mass index (BMI), blood transfusions, number of days spent in the hospital, and surgery duration. Patients during the pandemic had statistically significantly shorter duration of hospital stay, and lesser amount of blood units transfused comparing to the non- pandemic group, 4.50 days vs. 6.90 days (p < 0.001) and 1.20 units vs. 1.40 units (p = 0.0401) respectively. Patients with acetabulum fractures required more blood transfusion units (p < 0.0001), comparing to those with pelvic ring injuries. Moreover, the acetabulum fractures were more time demanding comparing to pelvic ring injury (151 min vs. 128 min, respectively) (p < 0.0001) as well as length of hospital stay was longer (5.18 days, 3.85 days (respectively) (p = 0.042). During the COVID-19 period, comparing patients with acetabulum fractures to those with pelvic ring injuries, they required more blood transfusion units, the acetabulum fractures were more time demanding with increased days of hospitalization. Additionally, patients during the COVID-19 period remained hospitalized for a shorter period of time and received lesser amount of blood transfusions with pelvic ring injuries.