Overall management of emergency general surgery patients during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of procedures and outcomes from a teaching hospital at the worst hit area in Spain

COVID-19 and Mortality in the Global Surgical Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

To date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has comprehensively estimated the risk of mortality by surgery type on an international scale. We aim to delineate the risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 who undergo surgery.

METHODS

PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, OVID, the World Health Organization Global Literature on Coronavirus Disease, and Corona-Central databases were searched from December 2019 through January 2022. Studies providing data on mortality in patients undergoing surgery were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines for abstracting data were followed and performed independently by two reviewers. The main outcome was mortality in patients with COVID-19.

RESULTS

Of a total of 4023 studies identified, 46 studies with 80,015 patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 67 y; 57% were male. Surgery types included general (14.9%), orthopedic (23.4%), vascular (6.4%), thoracic (10.6%), and urologic (8.5%). Patients undergoing surgery with COVID-19 elicited a nine-fold increased risk of mortality (relative risk [RR] 8.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.96-16.32) over those without COVID-19. In low-income and middle-income countries (RR: 16.04, 95% CI: 4.59-56.12), the mortality risk was twice as high compared to high-income countries (RR: 7.50, 95% CI: 4.30-13.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality risk in surgical patients with COVID-19 compared to those without is increased almost 10-fold. The risk was highest in low-income and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries, suggesting a disproportionate effect of the pandemic on resource-constrained regions.

National Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Analysis of the Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on Vascular Procedures in Public Health System: 521,069 Procedures Over 4 Years

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dramatic increase in healthcare demand. Resources were redirected to care patients with COVID-19. Therefore, surgical treatments were affected, including those of vascular diseases. There are no studies evaluating the whole impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering all types of vascular procedures, both elective and urgent, in a large country. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact on all types of vascular procedures performed in Brazilian public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population-based analysis of publicly available data referring to vascular procedures. Surgeries 2 years before the pandemic onset (2018-2019) and 2 years during pandemic (2020-2021) were included.

RESULTS

We observed a total of 521,069 procedures. Decrease was observed in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs both open surgery (P = 0.001) and endovascular surgery (P < 0.001), emergency open abdominal repairs (P = 0.005), elective thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs (P = 0.007), elective open peripheral aneurysm repairs (P = 0.038), carotid endarterectomies (P < 0.001) and angioplasties (P = 0.001), open revascularizations for peripheral arterial disease (P < 0.001), surgical treatment of chronic venous disease (P < 0.001) and sympathectomies for hyperhidrosis (P < 0.001). However, there was an increase of lower limb amputations (P = 0.027) and vena cava filter placements (P = 0.005). There was a reduction of almost US$17 million in financial investments.

CONCLUSIONS

The reorganization of health systems led to a significant reduction in vascular procedures and decrease in financial investments. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the number of lower limb amputations and vena cava filter placements.

Impact on the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Costa del Sol healthcare system area

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Gastrointestinal perforation is a surgical emergency that is associated with a high mortality rate and requires special care. During the pandemic, there has been competition with COVID-19 patients for health resources, especially ICU bed availability. The primary aim of our study was to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases registered before the pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, observational, single center, cohort study was conducted that included patients that underwent emergency surgery for gastrointestinal perforation in the periods during the pandemic (6 months) and before the pandemic (12 months). Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, duration of hospital and ICU stay, status at discharge, and perforation site were compared.

RESULTS

The study included 67 subjects (33 in the pre-pandemic period and 34 in the pandemic period). There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, or comorbidity. The perforation rate per emergency intervention was 4-times higher during the pandemic. There was an increase in the number of patients that were foreigners (4 [11%]) and nonresidents (6 [17%]). ICU admissions decreased (6 [19%]) but ICU stay increased to 137 h. Hospital stay increased by 5 days and delay in care increased 4.5 h. The number of deaths was higher (from 5 [15.2%] to 10 [29.4%]). Four patients with perforations were positive for COVID-19, were admitted to the ICU, and died.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal perforations at our healthcare system area; symptoms were more advanced, and mortality was higher.

Evolutionary analysis of patient's morbidity and mortality in emergency surgical care during the pandemic: Retrospective comparison between first and second waves of COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

Since the beginning of the pandemic, morbidity and mortality in emergency care of surgical patients have been the subject of several studies. However, most of these have compared this variable with that of the pre-COVID period, ignoring its evolution during the pandemic itself. In order to analyze this possible change, we performed a comparative study of morbidity and mortality in emergency surgery between the first and second waves of the pandemic in our center.

METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal study including all patients over the age of 18 admitted and/or operated in the emergency setting in the two maximum incidence periods (MIP) of COVID-19 infection (1st MIP: 22/03/2020-31/05/2020; 2nd MIP: 26/08/2020-30/11/2020). The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment received, early morbidity and mortality and possible risk factors for complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 173 patients were analyzed (1st MIP: 66; 2nd MIP: 107). The incidence of COVID-19 was higher in the second period (14.95% vs. 4.54%). SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher rate of complications; however, no statistically significant differences were observed in morbimortality rate, either in the total sample (P = .746) or in patients with a positive COVID-19 test (P = .582) between both periods. Surgical treatment was found to be associated with a lower complication rate in both the first (P = .006) and second waves (P = .014), and it was more frequent in the second MIP (70.1% vs 57.6%), although statistical significance was not reached (P = .065).

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were observed in morbidity and mortality of patients admitted and/or operated in the emergency setting in the two periods of maximum incidence of SARS-CoV-2 at our center. Surgical treatment was associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates, and it was more frequent in the second MIP.

Emergencies do not shut down during a pandemic: COVID pandemic impact on Acute Care Surgery volume and mortality at a level I trauma center

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volume and outcomes of Acute Care Surgery patients, and we hypothesized that inpatient mortality would increase due to COVID+ and resource constraints.

METHODS

An American College of Surgeons verified Level I Trauma Center's trauma and operative emergency general surgery (EGS) registries were queried for all patients from Jan. 2019 to Dec. 2020. April 1st, 2020, was the demarcation date for pre- and during COVID pandemic. Primary outcome was inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

There were 14,460 trauma and 3091 EGS patients, and month-over-month volumes of both remained similar (p > 0.05). Blunt trauma decreased by 7.4% and penetrating increased by 31%, with a concomitant 25% increase in initial operative management (p < 0.001). Despite this, trauma (3.7%) and EGS (2.9-3.0%) mortality rates remained stable which was confirmed on multivariate analysis; p > 0.05. COVID + mortality was 8.8% and 3.7% in trauma and EGS patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Acute Care Surgeons provided high quality care to trauma and EGS patients during the pandemic without allowing excess mortality despite many hardships and resource constraints.

[Evolutionary analysis of patient´s morbidity and mortality in emergency surgical care during the pandemic: retrospective comparison between the first and second waves of COVID-19.]

INTRODUCTION

Since the beginning of the pandemic, morbidity and mortality in emergency care of surgical patients have been the subject of several studies. However, most of these have compared this variable with that of the pre-COVID period, ignoring its evolution during the pandemic itself. In order to analyze this possible change, we performed a comparative study of morbidity and mortality in emergency surgery between the first and second waves of the pandemic in our center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal study including all patients over the age of 18 admitted and/or operated in the emergency setting in the two maximum incidence periods (MIP) of COVID-19 infection (1st MIP: 22/03/2020-31/05/2020; 2nd MIP: 26/08/2020-30/11/2020). The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment received, early morbidity and mortality and possible risk factors for complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 173 patients were analyzed (1st MIP: 66; 2nd MIP: 107). The incidence of COVID-19 was higher in the second period (14.95% vs. 4.54%). SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher rate of complications, however, no statistically significant differences were observed in morbimortality rate, either in the total sample (p=0.746) or in patients with a positive COVID-19 test (p=0.582) between both periods. Surgical treatment was found to be associated with a lower complication rate in both the first (p=0.006) and second wave (p=0.014), and it was more frequent in the second PMI (70.1 vs. 57.6%) although statistical significance was not reached (p= 0.065).

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were observed in morbimortality of patients admitted and/or operated in the emergency setting in the two periods of maximum incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in our center. Surgical treatment was associated with a lower morbimortality rate, and it was more frequent in the second MIP.

[Impact on the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Costa del Sol healthcare system area]

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Gastrointestinal perforation is a surgical emergency that is associated with a high mortality rate and requires special care. During the pandemic, there has been competition with COVID-19 patients for health resources, especially ICU bed availability. The primary aim of our study was to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal perforation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases registered before the pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, observational, single center, cohort study was conducted that included patients that underwent emergency surgery for gastrointestinal perforation in the periods during the pandemic (6 months) and before the pandemic (12 months). Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, duration of hospital and ICU stay, status at discharge, and perforation site were compared.

RESULTS

The study included 67 subjects (33 in the pre-pandemic period and 34 in the pandemic period). There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, or comorbidity. The perforation rate per emergency intervention was 4-times higher during the pandemic. There was an increase in the number of patients that were foreigners (4 [11%]) and nonresidents (6, [17%]). ICU admissions decreased (6 [19%]) but ICU stay increased to 137 h. Hospital stay increased by 5 days and delay in care increased 4.5 h. The number of deaths was higher (from 5 [15.2%] to 10 [29.4%]). Four patients with perforations were positive for COVID-19, were admitted to the ICU, and died.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal perforations at our healthcare system area; symptoms were more advanced, and mortality was higher.

Applications of laboratory findings in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of COVID-19

The worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents us with a serious public health crisis. To combat the virus and slow its spread, wider testing is essential. There is a need for more sensitive, specific, and convenient detection methods of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Advanced detection can greatly improve the ability and accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, which is conducive to the early suitable treatment and supports precise prophylaxis. In this article, we combine and present the latest laboratory diagnostic technologies and methods for SARS-CoV-2 to identify the technical characteristics, considerations, biosafety requirements, common problems with testing and interpretation of results, and coping strategies of commonly used testing methods. We highlight the gaps in current diagnostic capacity and propose potential solutions to provide cutting-edge technical support to achieve a more precise diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19 and to overcome the difficulties with the normalization of epidemic prevention and control.

Massive late postoperative bleeding after abdominal surgery in a haematologic patient with postoperative CoV-2 infection

The role of viral infection in extrapulmonary postoperative complications in CoV-2 patients is still debated. Perioperative bleeding is rare compared with thrombotic events, but can be related to a haemorrhagic CoV-2-associated disseminated intravascular coagulopathy-like syndrome.

Efficacy of a four-tier infection response system in the emergency department during the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak

Introduction

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has delayed the management of other serious medical conditions. This study presents an efficient method to prevent the degradation of the quality of diagnosis and treatment of other critical diseases during the pandemic.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study. The primary outcome was ED length of stay (ED LOS). The secondary outcomes were the door-to-balloon time in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and door-to-brain computed tomography time for patients with suspected stroke. The outcome measures were compared between patients who were treated in the red and orange zones designated as the changeable isolation unit and those who were treated in the non-isolation care unit. To control confounding factors, we performed propensity score matching, following which, outcomes were analyzed for non-inferiority.

Results

The mean ED LOS for hospitalized patients in the isolation and non-isolation care units were 406.5 min (standard deviation [SD], 237.9) and 360.2 min (SD, 226.4), respectively. The mean difference between the groups indicated non-inferiority of the isolation care unit (p = 0.037) but not in the patients discharged from the ED (p>0.999). The mean difference in the ED LOS for patients admitted to the ICU between the isolation and non-isolation care units was -22.0 min (p = 0.009). The mean difference in the door-to-brain computed tomography time between patients with suspected stroke in the isolation and non-isolation care units was 7.4 min for those with confirmed stroke (p = 0.013), and -20.1 min for those who were discharged (p = 0.012). The mean difference in the door-to-balloon time between patients who underwent coronary angiography in the isolation and non-isolation care units was -2.1 min (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Appropriate and efficient handling of a properly planned ED plays a key role in improving the quality of medical care for other critical diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on emergency plastic and reconstructive surgery presentations

Background

In Australia, the COVID‐19 pandemic has caused severe social disruptions, including restrictions to the movement of people. Healthcare centres around the world have seen changes in the nature of injuries acquired during the COVID‐19 pandemic; we therefore hypothesize that social isolation measures have changed the pattern of plastic and reconstructive surgery presentations.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was designed comparing patient presentations during the enforced COVID‐19 lockdown to two previous periods. All emergency referrals requiring operative intervention by the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit of our institution were included. Patient demographics, place and mechanism of injury, drug and alcohol involvement, delays to presentation, length of admission and complication rates were collected.

Results

Demographics and complication rates were similar across all groups. A 31.8% reduction in total number of emergency cases was seen during the lockdown period. Increase in do‐it‐yourself injuries (P = 0.001), bicycle injuries (P = 0.001) and injuries acquired via substance abuse (P = 0.041) was observed. Head and neck injuries, mostly due to animal bites and falls, were also more prevalent compared to the same period the previous year (P = 0.007). As expected, over 80% of plastic surgery operations during the COVID‐19 period were due to injuries acquired at home, a significant increase compared to previous periods.

Conclusion

Despite changes in the pattern of presentations requiring plastic and reconstructive emergency surgery, traumatic injuries continued to occur during the pandemic. Thus, planning will be essential to ensure resource allocation for emergency procedures is sustained as second and third waves of COVID‐19 cases emerge worldwide.