Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Spinal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: the experience in a tertiary referral centre
1Department of Spinal Surgery, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced spinal surgeries by one-third but did not significantly increase mortality or complications. Outcomes for spinal surgery patients remained comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant global health challenges.
- Elective surgeries were widely halted, impacting healthcare services.
- This study assesses the pandemic's effect on a UK tertiary spinal surgery center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on spinal surgery provision.
- To compare surgical outcomes during the pandemic versus a pre-pandemic period.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of spinal surgery patients over 82 days (March-June 2020).
- Comparison with data from the same period in 2019.
- Assessment of COVID-19 transmission, 30-day mortality, complications, and hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Surgical cases decreased by one-third during the pandemic.
- 30-day mortality rate was 4.2%, with 2.56% COVID-19 attributable deaths.
- No statistically significant increase in mortality, length of stay, or complication rates compared to 2019.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly worsen outcomes for spinal surgery patients.
- Further research with larger cohorts and longer follow-up is needed.
- Spinal surgery services adapted to maintain patient safety during the pandemic.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic first came to prominence in December 2019, and since then has swept the globe, causing one of the largest public health problems seen. It has had a wide-ranging impact on healthcare provision, with a cessation of elective operating. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on a tertiary referral centre for spinal surgery in England.
Methods:
An 82-day study period from 20th March 2020 to 10th June 2020 was used, and all spinal surgical patients were followed up prospectively, comparing patients from the same date range in 2019. We assessed rate of COVID transmission, 30-day mortality rates, complication rates and length of hospital stay in a large tertiary Teaching hospital in England.
Results:
Seventy-eight patients were operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic period, with a 30-day mortality rate of 4.2%. Two of these deaths were attributable to COVID-19 (2.56%). The mean length of stay was 10.8 days. Neither the 30-day mortality rate or the length of stay was statistically significant compared to the 2019 control period. Five patients (6.4%) tested positive for COVID-19, all were negative at time of surgical intervention. Our complication rate was 10.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Conclusions:
The number of operative cases performed during the COVID-19 pandemic fell by one-third compared to the same period in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic did not cause a significant increase in 30-day mortality rate, length of stay, or complication rates. Further studies with larger patient numbers and longer-term outcomes will be needed to fully assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on spinal surgery.
More Related Videos
04:19Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
03:47A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
Published on: October 25, 2024
