MATERIAL and METHODS: Demographic data, comorbidities, preoperative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results, surgical indications, surgical procedures/levels, surgical durations, intraoperative complications, need for reoperation, and postoperative COVID-19 symptoms of 76 patients who underwent elective spine surgery between March 11, 2020, and March 10, 2021, were recorded. Post-discharge COVID-19 PCR positivity within ?30 days, readmission rates, and mortality were evaluated. The data were compared with patients who underwent surgery before the pandemic.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics, preoperative comorbidity scores, surgical indications, and surgical regions (p>0.05). Two patients with negative preoperative PCR tests were identified as COVID-19 PCR positive, one in the early postoperative period and the other within ?30 days after discharge. There was no significant difference in intraoperative and postoperative complication rates between the groups, and no mortality was reported.

CONCLUSION: Elective spine surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic can be safely performed with appropriate preventive measures. The findings of this study indicate that spinal surgeries performed under pandemic conditions did not significantly increase complication and mortality rates. Anahtar Kelimeler : Covid-19 spine surgery, Spine surgery during the pandemic, Neurosurgery in pandemic