Plastic surgery practices amidst global COVID-19 pandemic: Indian consensus

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic having spread globally has profound implications on medical and surgical care, which is given by the health care providers. At this time, though there are guidelines and recommendations for medical management of these patients, there is a lack of guidance on how a plastic surgeon should approach the COVID-19 suspect or infected patient who presents either in an elective or emergency setting. We aim to provide a consensus guideline based on the current recommendations of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the pooled experience of the major centers performing plastic and reconstructive surgery in India. Methods: The current guidelines and recommendations on the COVID-19 pandemic were studied from both government and nongovernment sources including ICMR. The problems in the Conflict of interest disclosure: The authors do not have any commercial associations or financial disclosures that might pose or create a conflict of interest with information presented in any submitted manuscript.

The Impact of “COVID-19” and “Webinar Pandemic” on Plastic Surgery Practice in Teaching Institutes and Resident Training—A Multicentric Perspective

“…Although, teleconsultation is less feasible in surgical specialties, assessment of patients through photographs and video calls has helped address problems to a limited extent. 15,16 The pattern of injuries when compared with pre-COVID-19 times was surprising. There was a reduction in road accidents whereas pandemic period witnessed an increase in assault and domestic accidents.…”

“…There was a preference for local or regional flaps over complex microsurgical reconstruction to reduce operating time and patients’ hospital stay. 5 16 Routine services were totally suspended, consequences of which is hard to foresee as conditions such as craniofacial cleft deformities, brachial plexus injuries, nerve injuries, and burn contractures can potentially become urgent within a limited time frame. Although, teleconsultation is less feasible in surgical specialties, assessment of patients through photographs and video calls has helped address problems to a limited extent.…”

“…Although, teleconsultation is less feasible in surgical specialties, assessment of patients through photographs and video calls has helped address problems to a limited extent. 15 16 …”

“…Many institutions have resorted to alternate modalities such as virtual case discussions and simulation training. 15 16 However, these can never match the real-time training. Although webinars were in existence in pre–COVID-19 era as part of teaching curriculums in the West, there has been a sudden surge during the lockdown both at national and international levels.…”

Plastic Surgery Practice during COVID Times

“…Previous literature from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, articles by Agarwal et al, and Shivangi Saha et al have provided certain guidelines. 3 4 5 6 A study by Rahim et al lists out the framework opted for surgical safety as Kerala model in containing the pandemic. 7 …”