According to the Global Healthcare Security (GHS) Index, the United States was the most prepared nation in the world to deal with pandemics (October, 2019). 1 Now in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, it is ironic that the United States has had more cases and deaths than any other nation. 2 The same report found that other countries were even less prepared and there were major gaps in global healthcare security. 1,2 Governments have had to make difficult decisions during this pandemic, balancing health against economic collapse. The decision to proceed with social distancing, banning nonessential travel, and closing large portions of the economy has been widely adopted around the world recognizing this will likely have longstanding economic consequences. 3-5 The aim of our study was to explore the impact of this pandemic on neurosurgeons with the hope of improving preparedness for future crisis. We created a 20-question survey designed to explore demographics (nation, duration and scope of practice, and caseburden), knowledge (source of information), clinical impact (elective clinic/surgery cancellations), hospital preparedness (availability of personal protective equipment [PPE] and cost of the supplies), and personal factors (financial burden, workload, scientific and research activities). The survey was first piloted with 10 neurosurgeons and then revised. Surveys were distributed electronically in 7 languages (Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish) between March 20 and April 3, 2020 using Google Forms, WeChat used to obtain responses, and Excel (Microsoft) and SPSS (IBM) used to analyze results. All responses were crossverified by 2 members of our team. After obtaining results, we analyzed our data with histograms and standard statistical methods (Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression). Participants were first informed about the objectives of our survey and assured confidentiality after they agreed to participate (Helsinki declaration). 6 We received 187 responses from 308 invitations (60.7%), and 474 additional responses were obtained from social mediabased neurosurgery groups (total responses = 661). The respondents were from 96 countries representing 6 continents (Figure 1A-1C). Ethical Committee Ethics board approval was waived by the ethical committee of the neurosurgery department at Cairo University. CORRESPONDENCE We encourage increased resource allocation for better pandemic preparedness. Neurosurgeons must develop disaster strategies to curtail future crises through collaboration and communication, which has never been seen before.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) for the management of sellar, suprasellar, and anterior skull base lesions is gaining popularity. Our aim was to analyze and present the clinical outcomes of EES for the management of these lesions in a community hospital setting.-METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 56 patients with sellar, suprasellar, and anterior skull base lesions who underwent EES between 2010 and 2018.-RESULTS: There was male predominance (53.6%) with a mean age of 54.9 AE 13.7 years. Lesions were 45 pituitary adenomas, 5 meningiomas, 3 metastatic, 1 craniopharyngioma, 1 Rathke cyst, and 1 mucocele. Gross total excision was achieved in 57.1%, subtotal excision occurred in 37.5%, and decompression and biopsy were achieved in 5.4% patients. Postoperative vision normalized or improved in 27 patients (86.1%) and was stable in 4 patients (13.9%). Recovery of a preexisting hormonal deficit occurred in 13 (23.2%) patients, and a new hormonal deficit occurred in 9 patients (16.1%). The mean hospital stay was 6.1 AE 4.9 days. Postoperative complications included cerebrospinal fluid leak in 8 patients (14.3%). Four patients (7.1%) had meningitis. Diabetes insipidus was present in 19 patients (33.9%), and postoperative intracranial hematoma requiring evacuation was necessary in 2 patients (3.6%). The mean follow-up duration was 47.5 AE 25.8 months. Lesion progression or recurrence requiring redo surgery occurred in 5 patients (8.9%). Regarding the learning curve, the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, new hormonal deficits, and diabetes insipidus decreased in the second half of the patients.-CONCLUSIONS: EES provides an effective and safe surgical option with low morbidity and mortality for the treatment of sellar, suprasellar, and anterior skull base lesions in a community hospital setting.
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