Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on general surgical emergencies: are some emergencies really urgent? Level 1 trauma center experience

Sürek, Ahmet; Ferahman, Sina; Gemici, Eyüp; Dural, Ahmet Cem; Dönmez, Turgut; Karabulut, Mehmet

doi:10.1007/s00068-020-01534-7

Cited by 47 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…26 studies described a change in case number of appendicitis and/or appendectomies between comparable time periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults [ [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ]. Studies were conducted in 15 countries (as shown in Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Köhler

Müller

Hendricks

et al. 2021

International Journal of Surgery

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Background During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 a decrease of emergency consultations and modification in treatment of numerous medical conditions were observed. Aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence, treatment strategies, severity, length of hospital stay and time of presentation in adults and children with acute appendicitis. Methods A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed, and eligible studies used to perform a meta-analysis. Results 46 suitable studies were identified with an overall reduction of appendicitis cases by 20.9% in adults and an increase of 13.4% in children. The rate of open appendectomies increased without statistical significance in both groups (adults: 8.5% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.32; children: 7.1% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.13), whereas the rate of antibiotic treatment increased significantly (P = 0.007; P = 0.03). Higher rates of complicated appendicitis were observed in adults (adults: OR 2.00, P < 0.0001; children: OR 1.64, P = 0.12). Time to first consultation did not change significantly (adults: 52.3 vs. 38.5 h – P = 0.057; children: 51.5 vs. 32.0 h – P = 0.062) and length of stay was also not lengthened during the pandemic (adults: 2.9 vs. 2.7 days, P = 0.057; children: 4.2 vs. 3.7 days, P = 0.062). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 had major impact on incidence and treatment strategies of acute appendicitis. Results of this meta-analysis might be another hint to support the theory that appendicitis is not a progressive disease and surgeons can safely consider antibiotic therapy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Köhler

Müller

Hendricks

et al. 2021

International Journal of Surgery

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“…Although postponing elective hernia operations during the pandemic has raised concerns that the number of EAAWHS may increase due to incarceration or strangulation, recent studies have reported a decrease in the number of patients [ 21 , 22 ]. In our study, 41 patients were operated emergently during the pandemic, while 24 patients were operated during the control period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In short-term studies with a low number of EAAWHS cases, it was reported that EAAWHS was decreased during the pandemic period compared to the control period. [ 21 , 22 ]. Oscar Cano-Valderemma et al reported a decrease in the number of general surgery emergency groups but an increased number of incarcerated hernia cases [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency anterior abdominal wall hernia surgery: is it safe to postpone elective hernia surgery in the pandemic?

Turan

Dirim

2021

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg

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Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency anterior abdominal wall hernia surgeries (EAAWHS) by comparing the pandemic period with the control period a year ago and to share our experiences in the pandemic period. Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent EAAWHS during the pandemic (from 11 March 2020 to 25 January 2021) and control period (1 year before the same period, from 11 March 2019 to 25 January 2020). Demographic data, preoperative clinical and pathological parameters, intraoperative findings and postoperative complications secondary to operation and COVID-19 infection, length of intensive care and hospital stay of patients were recorded, and the pandemic and control groups were compared. Results Of the 87 patients who underwent anterior abdominal wall hernia surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, 41 (47.1%) were operated emergently and 46 (52.9%) were operated electively. Of the 485 patients who underwent anterior abdominal wall hernia surgery during the control period, 24 (4.95%) were operated emergently and 461 (95.05%) were operated electively. The decrease in the number of elective operations and the increase in the number of emergency operations were significant during the pandemic ( p < 0.001).There was a decrease in the number of emergency inguinal hernia operations and an increase in the number of emergency ventral (incisional, umbilical) hernia operations during the pandemic period compared to the control period ( p < 0.05).The mortality rates were similar (8.3 vs. 9.8%, p > 0.05) in both periods. Conclusion Despite the increase in the number of EAAWHS during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no significant difference in mortality and morbidity rates. EAAWHS can be performed safely during the pandemic by taken necessary and adequate precautions.

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“…Surgery delays are associated with poorer prognosis, and the increased morbidity and mortality cannot be ignored. 1 – 3 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic

Rossell-Perry

Gavino-Gutierrez

2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a negative impact in every sector of life, especially in the health sector. Patients with different medical conditions are suffering delays in their surgical treatments. Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital disease that requires early interdisciplinary attention, and there is uncertainty about the safety of performing its surgical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of a surgical cleft protocol for cleft lip and palate used during the COVID-19 pandemic at a high volume cleft center in Lima, Peru. Methods: This is a comparative study between two groups of patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate who were operated on before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was done by evaluation of presurgical condition, and surgical and nonsurgical postoperative outcomes and complications. Results: Significant differences were observed regarding both the age of the patients at the time of the primary surgeries, and surgical times between the two groups. Nonstatistical significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the presurgical conditions, postoperative outcomes, and complications. Rate of COVID-19 infection was 1.25%. Conclusions: The surgical protocol used for cleft lip and palate repair during the COVID-19 pandemic is a safe method based on the observed postoperative outcomes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays of the time of the primary cleft lip and palate repair, and its long-term impact should be well evaluated.

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Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on general surgical emergencies: are some emergencies really urgent? Level 1 trauma center experience

Cited by 47 publications

References 21 publications

Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Changes in appendicitis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic – A systematic review and meta-analysis

The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency anterior abdominal wall hernia surgery: is it safe to postpone elective hernia surgery in the pandemic?

Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic

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