Background The ongoing "coronavirus disease 19" (COVID-19) pandemic has had a strong effect on the delivery of surgical care worldwide. Elective surgeries have been canceled or delayed in order to reallocate resources to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Currently, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric and metabolic surgical practice remains unclear. Methods An internet-based online survey was performed among bariatric surgeons worldwide. The survey was sent to bariatric surgeons via the International Bariatric Club Facebook group and by electronic mail via the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and metabolic disorders (IFSO) secretariat to members of the associated national IFSO societies. Results One hundred sixty-nine (n = 169) bariatric surgeons participated in the survey. The majority of the respondents postponed preoperative upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopies, appointments in the outpatient clinic and bariatric operations. Most surgeons performed video calls for follow-up appointments instead of meeting the patients in the outpatient clinics. Laparoscopy was still the preferred treatment for surgical emergencies, but a trend towards conservative treatment of acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis was shown. Rapid preoperative COVID-19 testing availability was poor; therefore, routine screening of emergency bariatric cases was not widely provided. A wide variance occurred regarding precautions and personal protection equipment among the participants. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic showed a strong impact on bariatric surgical practice regarding surgical and outpatient planning as well as personnel management. Coordinated effort from the national bariatric societies should focus on strict implementation of the current recommendations regarding precaution measures and personal protection equipment. Further studies should evaluate how this impact will evolve in the near future.
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4% in 2016), possibly contributed by more APRs done in 2017 (12 out of 15) where there are larger surface areas of exposure. In the hypothermic group, there were more ASA 3 patients and APRs. No significant difference in surgical time, volume of fluids given or usage of warming devices. There were significantly greater cardiovascular complications, AMI and postoperative haemorrhage in the hypothermic group. Majority of the complications were not hypothermia-related. Conclusion: Despite few open surgeries and use of warming devices, hypothermia prevails in one third of patients. Pre-operative conservation of heat with warming blankets while waiting, intraoperative use of warm wash and warm gas insufflation should be considered, with focus on ASA 3 patients who are already at greater risks of perioperative complications.
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