Management of Outpatient Elective Surgery for Arthroplasty and Sports Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unforeseeable challenges to the orthopaedic community, especially arthroplasty and sports medicine subspecialities, as many surgeries were deemed nonessential and delayed. Although there is a glimpse of hope with the approval and distribution of vaccines, daily case numbers and death tolls continue to rise at the time of this review. Purpose: To summarize the available literature on the management of elective sports medicine and arthroplasty procedures in the outpatient setting to gather a consolidated source of information. Study Design: Scoping review; Level of evidence, 5. Methods: A scoping review of 3 databases (PubMed, Embase, and OVID Medline) was performed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. All retrospective and prospective analyses, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, expert opinions, and societal guidelines were included for review, with 29 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Guidance for resumption of elective arthroplasty and sports medicine surgery and patient selection during the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on resource availability, patient fitness, and time sensitivity of the procedure, with patient and surgical team safety as the highest priority. Telemedicine and other innovative technology can be used to continue patient care during periods of delayed surgery through monitoring disease progression and offering nonoperative management options. Conclusion: While the current societal recommendations provide guidance on safety protocols and patient prioritization, each orthopaedic practice must consider its unique situation and use evidence-based medicine when determining surgical timing and patient selection.