Adapting to an unprecedented scenario: surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

On January 30th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARSCoV-2) outbreak an international public health emergency, and one day later, the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Gomera Island, Spain. In the following weeks, the number of cases in several Spanish cities spiked alarmingly, with thousands reported. This new coronavirus outbreak generated unprecedented changes in the Surgery Departments around the world, first in Asia, followed weeks later in Europe and America. This novel scenario of health crisis demanded a change in logistics and organization to guarantee urgent operations onCOVID-19 cases without interrupting the capability to handle emergency and oncologic surgery in the virus-free population, minimizing the viral transmission to staff and other patients. This manuscript aims to summarize the changes adopted by the General and GI Surgery Departments to address this unprecedented clinical scenario, including the restructuring of surgical schedules, staff preparation, and the departments outbreak response protocols and recommendations for surgical techniques and risk management.

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

“…This involved four approved reasons to leave the house: for food and supplies, for exercise, for medical care and for essential work and education. Other changes to the delivery of care we observed were similar to those described by BenÍtez et al ., including restricting inpatient visiting, size reduction to unit teams and the utilization of teleconference for staff communication and unit meetings 12 . Personal protective equipment utilization adhered to the World Health Organization and state government guidelines and patients were preoperatively screened for COVID‐19.…”

Personal protective equipment guidance during a global pandemic: A statistical analysis of National perceived confidence, knowledge and educational deficits amongst UK‐based doctors

“…presenting with an acute abdomen, with otherwise no respiratory symptoms, has been postulated in order to evaluate radiological evidence of respiratory disease and guide further management. 24,25 Verbeek et al 3 published an update to their 2019 Cochrane systematic review with newer COVID-19 studies included in their literature search. They noted an overall lack of robust evidence and were unable to strongly recommend a specific combination of PPE.…”

Is Early Traumatic Facial Nerve Surgery a Priority during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…8 The current COVID-19 pandemic has imposed global changes in team dynamics, department workload organization, personal protective equipment (PPE) measures, and facilities preparedness. 9 Due to the exposure of otolaryngologists to patient's aerosols, they are at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, with greater risks of infection. 10 However, the use of PPE may affect the surgical team members' performance.…”