Course of Treatment and Short-Term Outcome of Surgically Treated Paediatric Upper Limb Fractures during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Experiences of a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Central Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions led to a reduced number of surgeries. This study examines its impact on the course of treatment and clinical outcome of surgically treated paediatric upper limb fractures during that specific period. This retrospective cohort study evaluated all children aged 0–18 years presenting with an upper limb fracture treated surgically at the level 1 trauma centre of the University Clinic of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery of Vienna within lockdown from 16 March to 29 May 2020 (definition applied through corresponding legislation) compared to the same period from 2015 to 2019. A total number of 127 children (m:63; f:44) were included. The lockdown did not lead to a significant increase in complications during and after initial surgery. Time until removal of implant was not significantly prolonged (p = 0.068; p = 0.46). The clinical outcome did not significantly differ compared to previous years. The experience of a level 1 trauma centre showed that despite reduced surgical capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, no negative differences concerning course of treatment and clinical outcome of surgically treated paediatric upper limb fractures were present. These findings are still of importance since the COVID-19 pandemic continues and several countries in Central Europe are currently under their fourth lockdown

Maintaining Medical Resources to Treat Paediatric Injuries during COVID-19 Lockdown Is Essential—An Epidemiological Analysis of a Level 1 Trauma Centre in Central Europe

Background: This study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in the incidence of various categories of injuries, with the main focus on fractures and mild traumatic brain injuries in a paediatric population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated all children from 0 to 18 years of age presenting with an injury at the level 1 trauma centre of the University Clinic of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery in Vienna during the lockdown from 16 March to 29 May 2020 compared to records over the same timeframe from 2015 to 2019. Results: In total, 14,707 patients with injuries were included. The lockdown did not lead to a significant decrease in fractures but, instead, yielded a highly significant increase in mild traumatic brain injuries when compared to all injuries that occurred (p = 0.082 and p = 0.0001) as well as acute injuries (excluding contusions, distortions and miscellaneous non-acute injuries) (p = 0.309 and p = 0.034). Conclusions: The percentage of paediatric fractures did not decrease at the level 1 trauma centre, and a highly significant proportional increase in paediatric patients with mild traumatic brain injuries was observed during the COVID-19 lockdown. Therefore, medical resources should be maintained to treat paediatric trauma patients and provide neurological monitoring during pandemic lockdowns

Consistently High Frequency of Scooter Injuries in Children—Retrospective Data Analysis in a Level I Trauma Centre

The aim of this retrospective study was to present an epidemiological overview of paediatric nonelectric-scooter-related injuries, focusing on changes in injury mechanism and frequency. A retrospective, descriptive data analysis at a Level I trauma centre, including patients aged from 0 to 18 years injured by riding nonelectric scooters, was performed. The observation period ranged from January 2015 to December 2022. The total study population consisted of 983 (mean age: 7.9 ± 4.0 years) children and adolescents, with most patients being male (800/983; 81.4%). The frequency of nonelectric scooter injuries was relatively consistent over the observation period. Patients sustained mostly minor injuries (lacerations, bone contusions, sprains) (527/983; 53.6%), followed by head injuries (238/983; 24.5%), limb fractures (166/983; 16.9%) and trunk injuries (52/983; 5.3%). However, a few patients sustained severe injuries, including skull fractures (7/238; 2.9%), intracranial haematoma (4/238; 1.7%) or lacerations of abdominal organs (4/52; 7.7%). This study presented a consistently high frequency of scooter injuries in children. Children under 15 years were the most affected by scooter-related injuries. Although most injuries were minor, serious injuries occurred that should not be underestimated. Hence, we emphasise the use of protection gear and recommend raising awareness among parents and children