Abstract:

Objective We aimed to analyze the resulting effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hand surgery outpatient clinic application trends, and to highlight the patients’ attitude towards surgical procedures. Methods Data of patients who applied to outpatient clinic between March 13,2020 and June 1,2020 were collected. The control group consisted of patients who applied during the same period in 2019. Information regarding the patient demographics, outpatient clinic attendances, main complaints, and diagnoses were obtained. Elective surgery recommended patients were called when elective operations resumed. Among these patients, those who refused to undergo surgery and their concerns for not agreeing were collected. Results Between 2019 and 2020 there is a %56 decrease in our hospital hand surgery outpatient clinics applications. It is observed that patients’ mean age decreased significantly during COVID-19 period (p<0.0001). During the COVID-19 period, the number of applications for male patients increased and female patients decreased (p = 0.0001). Among the diagnoses, it was observed that there was an increase in the frequency of "Post-operative follow-up", "Fracture" and "Infection" in 2020 compared to 2019 (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.004, respectively). In 2020 13 March- 1 June, the number of patients who were given surgery indication increased (p = 0.0001). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decrease in hand surgery outpatient applications even further than limitations of Ministry of Health. Additionally, application of congenital and acquired deformities were reduced. Finally, average age of patients and female patients’ applications were decreased. It will be useful to consider these changes while preparing for the post-pandemic period.

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