A retrospective observational examination following the COVID-19 pandemic: Was everything necessary done in the management of hip fractures?

OBJECTIVE: Hip fragility fracture-related mortality depends on several variables. The management of such cases during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important issue that needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the management of such cases during the COVID-19 pandemic in a single trauma center in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, the length of stay (LoS) and 30-day mortality rates in patients with hip fragility fractures, in the ICU - clinic combined follow-ups (ICU/Clinic group) combined follow-ups and in the clinic follow- ups (Clinic Only group) were compared between pre-pandemic and pandemic period. RESULTS: The data of 393 patients, 164 (41.7%) men and 229 (58.3%) women, with a mean age of 81.22 +/- 8.37 (45-100) years, were analyzed. The total LoS during the pandemic was determined to be shorter than the pre-pandemic period in both the patient groups that followed up in the Clinic Only and those in ICU/Clinic (p<.001, p=.007). The 30-day mortality rates of the groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The length of the hospital stay of hip fragility fracture patients was seen to be shorter during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this early discharge did not affect the 30-day mortality rates.