How to safely perform surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: Study

During their hospital stay, 8 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 (2 on admission, 6 during a preoperative PCR test). Seven patients were treated at the infection clinic and their surgeries were postponed. 1 had to have emergency surgery for obstructive colon cancer.

No patients became infected with COVID-19 while in postoperative critical care or after being transferred to the floor unit.

In conclusion of this study, the PI pointed out that failure to treat patients with gastrointestinal cancer during the pandemic may result in unfavorable outcomes such as stage shift and death. Cancer patients can be safely treated with conventional and minimally invasive surgery if current advice and experience are followed.

The surgical recommendations according to observation of researchers include:

1. CO2 filters in laparoscopy or robotic surgery;

2. Minimization of port site incisions,

3. Minimizing use of monopolar cautery, ultrasonic dissectors, and advanced bipolar devices,

4. Employing devices with attached smoke evacuators.

For further reading

Özdemir, Y., & Temiz, A. (2021). Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal tumors in a COVID‐19 pandemic hospital: Can open versus minimally invasive surgery be safely performed? Journal of Surgical Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1002/js