Abstract || Clinics In Surgery

Major Scope

Colon and Rectal Surgery
General Surgery
Gynecologic Oncology
Plastic Surgery
Neurological Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine
Neonatal Surgery
Prenatal Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Surgical Intensivists, Specializing In Critical Care Patients
Thoracic Surgery
Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Thoracic Surgery-Integrated
Vascular Surgery

Abstract

Citation: Clin Surg. 2021;7(1):3380.Short Communication | Open Access

The Effect of Spinal Steroid Injections on COVID-19 Infection and Its Severity

Sayantan Bose1*, Subodh Patil2 and Joshi George K1

1Department of Neurosurgery, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
2Department of Spinal Surgery, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK

^*Correspondance to: Sayantan Bose

PDF Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3380

Abstract

Aim: This paper is to determine the incidence of COVID-19 infection and severe symptoms following spinal steroid injections for pain control. Methodology: This a retrospective observational study based in the department of neurosurgery, Salford Royal Foundation Trust. Study period is from March 23rd, 2020 till December 31st, 2020. 222 patients had these injections during the time period. Data was collected by telephonic interview and online questionnaire. Data was analyzed to find out how many of the people who received steroid injection got COVID infection and how many had severe infection. It was then compared with local infection rates. Results: Out of 222 patients found, 130 patients opted to take part in the survey. Six patients among them had tested positive after the injection and two more patients had symptoms of COVID who have been considered to be positive. Overall, 6.15% of patients who received steroid injections had positive COVID-19 results. 3.85% patients had the infection within 3 months of injection. One patient (0.77%) needed hospital admission due to COVID. The incidence of COVID during this time period in Salford was 6.17% and rate of hospital admission due to COVID was 0.77%. Conclusion: The rate of COVID-19 infection after steroid injection are lower than the local incidence of COVID in Salford during that time period and equivalent to the rate of hospital admission due to COVID. This suggests that a steroid injection in the spine for pain management does not increase the incidence of COVID or cause severe infections.