The COVID-19 pandemic has affected most healthcare
systems around the world. Routine care operations such as
outpatient clinics and elective surgery remain badly hit. This
situation cannot continue for long as it puts patients at a
higher risk for complications due to delayed management.
Hence, it is essential to resume routine, especially elective
surgery. Regarding orthopaedic practice, various authors and
organisations have come out with guidelines to resume
elective surgeries. However, clear consensus and common
strategies need be derived. With this motive, we conducted a
review of the literature for guidelines to resume elective
orthopaedic surgery amid COVID-19 pandemic and
shortlisted scholarly publications and information from
regional organisations. We have summarised the information
and derived an organised algorithm considering the
guidelines provided by various sources. In this extraordinary
time, guidelines come in as a relief for every surgeon who is
in a dilemma whether to resume electives or not. Putting
safety first, these guidelines or suitable versions should be
followed at all levels wherever possible to avoid the lack of
trained manpower in the event of staff morbidity.