Letter to the Editor “Service and Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from a Neurosurgical Center in the Philippines”

Practice Patterns in Surgical Neuro-Oncology Among Low- and Middle-Income Countries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Scoping Review and Situational Report from the Philippines

“…Before the pandemic, it catered to 600,000 patients annually, and the neurosurgery service performed 1500–2000 operations yearly. 13 When the pandemic started, the Philippine General Hospital became a COVID-19 referral center and continues to function as such, with reallocation of resources and personnel to the COVID-19 efforts of the hospital.…”

“…A water-impermeable occlusive dressing over the nose and mouth were also used after intubation. 13 Awake craniotomy and endonasal procedures were performed in COVID-19–negative patients only. At the start of the pandemic, a sterile transparent plastic sheet was set up like a tent over the surgical field to serve as a barrier when drilling bone to minimize surgeon exposure to aerosolized particles.…”

“… 12 Reallocation of resources to COVID-19 efforts in these countries has also hindered the resumption of neurosurgery and neuro-oncology services. 13 For example, operating rooms (ORs) in LMICs have been converted to intensive care units (ICUs) to accommodate patients with severe COVID-19, decreasing operative capacity. 14 Conversion of tertiary hospitals capable of neurosurgical procedures into COVID-19 centers has also adversely affected neurosurgical care in LMICs.…”

“… 14 Conversion of tertiary hospitals capable of neurosurgical procedures into COVID-19 centers has also adversely affected neurosurgical care in LMICs. 13 , 14 , 15 All these factors have resulted in delays in patient care and poorer neuro-oncologic outcomes. 2 …”

Letter to the Editor: ”Role of the Neurosurgeon in Times of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The Importance of Focus in Critical Care”

“…We read with great interest the articles published in your distinguished journal by Legaspi et al., 1 “Letter to the Editor ‘Service and Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from a Neurosurgical Center in the Philippines’,” and Molliqaj et al., 2 “How Neurosurgeons Are Coping with COVID-19 and How It Impacts Our Neurosurgical Practice: Report from Geneva University Medical Center,” where organizational modifications made in the health institutions where authors work to redistribute functional personnel that can contribute in the management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are described.…”