The Impact of the Pandemic of COVID-19 on the Head Injury Fast-Track System and Surgical Outcome

Objective  This study aims to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the head injury fast-track system and surgical treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods  A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent emergency neurological procedures according to the head injury fast-track system. Data from April 2018 to April 2020 (pre-COVID) were compared with data from May 2020 to May 2022 (during COVID). Results  The analysis comprised 128 patients in the prepandemic group and 119 patients in the pandemic group, with 5 patients diagnosed with COVID infection during the pandemic. Acute subdural hematoma resulting from motorcycle accidents was the most common diagnosis in both groups (56.3 and 47.5%, respectively). The initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score was significantly lower during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period ( p  = 0.025). Time metrics in the emergency department, including door to computed tomography (CT), emergency room (ER) exit, and incision times, were significantly longer in the pandemic group ( p  < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in in-hospital mortality rates (25.8 and 17.7%, respectively; p  = 0.12) or the percentage of patients with a favorable functional outcome (Glasgow outcome scale ≥4). At 1 month, a favorable functional outcome was observed in 51.6% of prepandemic patients and 57.1% of pandemic patients ( p  = 0.69), while at 6 months, the percentages were 56.8 and 64.5%, respectively ( p  = 0.23). Conclusions  Our study revealed significant delays in hospital processes for head injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we found no significant impact on mortality rates or functional outcomes of patients.