To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

IntroductionPercutaneous cholecystostomy is a recognised treatment modality for acute cholecystitis. Traditionally, its use was reserved for patients deemed unfit for surgery. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a detrimental effect on both elective and emergency surgery. The utilisation of cholecystostomy thus increased. Unanswered questions remain over timing with respect to interval cholecystectomy. We evaluated our local practice over the preceding three years. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of all patients who had a percutaneous cholecystostomy inserted over a three-year period (1 January 2018-1 January 2021). The primary outcome was time to cholecystectomy. Secondary outcomes were cholecystostomy-related complications, 30-day mortality, cholecystectomy-related complications and length of postoperative hospital stay. ResultsA total of 31 patients were identified during the period. Thirteen (42%) patients went on to have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The median time interval from cholecystostomy to cholecystectomy was 97 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 81-140, minimum: 47 and maximum: 791). One case was complicated by small bowel perforation; this occurred after an interval of 106 days. The median length of postoperative stay was one day (IQR: 1-1, minimum: 0 and maximum: 4). Cholecystostomy-related complications were observed in four (13%) patients, whereby three became displaced and one developed blockage. Thirty-day mortality following cholecystostomy insertion was zero. ConclusionsPercutaneous cholecystostomy is a safe and effective intervention for the management of acute cholecystitis. Interval cholecystectomy should be carefully considered; it may be safer to perform prior to 90 days.

Undergraduate medical education does not usually involve training in laparoscopic skills despite the fact that minimal access surgery has become the norm in the developed world. We designed a study to evaluate the attitude of surgeons and medical students to formal teaching of these skills. Two surveys were sent; one to fourth year medical students at the University of Bristol and another to specialist laparoscopic surgeons. Student questions centred on whether they would find training in basic laparoscopic skills useful, whilst surgeons were asked whether it would be acceptable for medical students to assist with a laparoscopic case. Sixty percent [131/ 220] of students responded, with 60 % [79/131] of respondents stating that they would find assisting with laparoscopic surgery beneficial, despite 79 % [103/131] being undecided or having no interest in a surgical career, with 66 % [87/131] stating it would allow them to become more involved during theatre sessions. Eighty-three percent [83/ 100] of surgeons responded, and 74 % [62/83] said they would allow medical students to hold the camera. Seventy percent [65/83] felt that basic knowledge of the equipment was the most important aspect of training, and 66 % [55/83] felt that assisting was the second most important. This is the first study to look at both the student's and surgeon's views on laparoscopic training of medical students. The study highlights the benefits of acquiring laparoscopic skills such as camera holding and assisting. In response, we have set up a course for students prior to placements in surgical specialties.

The global COVID-19 pandemic had a deleterious effect upon elective and emergency surgery. Focus of patient care was directed to emergency services. Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Northern Ireland guidelines advised a trend towards conservative management. Traditional surgical intervention was reserved only for selected cases only. We evaluated our emergency practice over a four-week period during the first peak of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective single-centre analysis was performed of consecutive patients seen by the emergency general and vascular surgery on-call team in a District General Hospital over a four-week period (30 March 2020-26 April 2020). Primary outcome was 30-day COVID-19 mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day complications, readmission rate and non-COVID-19-related mortality. Adherence to intercollegiate guidelines was also assessed. Results A total of 184 patients were assessed during the period. The median age was 55 years (interquartile range 34-75), with a male:female ratio of 1:0.7. Thirty-day COVID-19-and non-COVID-19-related mortalities were 3% and 8%, respectively. Thirteen percent of patients developed complications and 9% represented to the emergency department within 30 days. Conservative management was initially employed in 78% of patients. This had success rates in appendicitis and cholecystitis of 72% and 75%, respectively. A CT thorax was included in 89% having a CT abdomen and pelvis. Thirty-eight percent had a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test performed throughout the study period. Fifty-two percent of individuals who underwent emergency surgery had a swab performed prior to operative intervention. Conclusions Conservative management seems to be reasonably effective and may reshape the way we treat a proportion of surgical pathologies in the future. Further long-term data are required in order to evaluate this. A paucity of PCR testing was due to nationwide capacity shortcomings. This must be addressed in future peaks with rapid testing in order to triage patients to the appropriate setting.