EASAPS/ESPRAS Considerations in getting back to work in Plastic Surgery with the COVID-19 Pandemic – A European point of view

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to summarize the results of a consensus process and a European webinar of the two societies, European Association of Societies of Aesthetic Surgery (EASAPS) and the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Societies (ESPRAS) on what is considered safe practice based on the scientific knowledge we have today. This review of the current situations gives considerations which have to be taken into account when getting back to work in plastic surgery with COVID-19 in Europe. At all times, one should be familiar the local and regional infection rates in the community, with particular emphasis on the emergence of second and third waves of the pandemic. Due to the fast-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic the recommendations aim to be rather considerations than fixed guidelines and might need to be revised in near future.

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“…The impact and importance of joint international efforts in tackling common issues that affect all national plastic surgical societies became visible, as over 50 % of all participants reported to have profited from ESPRAS European guidelines and recommendations of getting back to work in Plastic Surgery during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic [2,3].…”

“…6). In May 2020, ESPRAS analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Plastic Surgery in Europe [2] and, together with EASAPS, provided recommendations on getting back to work [3].Over 55 % (17/31) of all respondents reported reading the manuscripts, and finding the considerations and recommendations helpful for clinical practice and the practice of other colleagues in their country.…”

“…The need for strong European partnerships within national societies has recently become most evident: In times of crisis, international cooperation is key and harmonization of efforts to overcome common issues, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is indispensable. In this regard, ESPRAS conducted a European Survey and organized, together with the European Association of societies of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (EASAPS), a webinar on considerations of getting back to work in Plastic Surgery with the COVID-19 pandemic, based on international standards and European consensus [2,3].…”

Repercusión de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en las intervenciones de Cirugía Plástica en Andalucía (España) durante la primera fase de pandemia COVID-19

“…Nuestro estudio presenta los resultados correspondientes a un período de tiempo breve de recogida de datos (primeros meses de la pandemia) y circunscrito a una especialidad concreta y a una experiencia en un área geográfica del Sistema Nacional de Salud Español. Tiene como finalidad ir en la línea de las distintas investigaciones que se han realizado sobre la práctica segura de cirugías en el resto de Europa, así como las diversas propuestas de guías de actuación de las asociaciones científicas internacionales para retomar las intervenciones quirúrgicas (26) y la necesidad de establecer medidas para la seguridad que pasan por crear distintos protocolos: proveer al paciente de la información necesaria sobre cómo se procederá a su cita y programación de cirugía; establecer el riesgo de contagio según las características del paciente; considerar el riesgo según el tipo de intervención que se va a realizar, y llevar a cabo una preparación específica del personal sanitario que formará parte del equipo . (27) Las recomendaciones para la cirugía en pacientes con enfermedades víricas altamente transmisibles a través de fluidos, recomiendan accesos mínimamente invasivos para minimizar el contagio a miembros del equipo quirúrgico.…”

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“…Joint European efforts moderated by the ExCo of ESPRAS have recently identified common challenges for the respective plastic surgery national societies under the umbrella of ESPRAS and shared solutions on a European level in different survey-based studies [10][11][12]. The aim of this study was to follow up one of the major challenges facing Plastic Surgery in Europe identified at the ELF in 2020 [10], namely the structure of care of breast reconstruction in European countries.…”