ABSTRACT
Introduction The ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted health services throughout the world. It has brought in several new challenges to deal with surgical emergencies. Herein, we report two suspected cases of COVID-19 that were operated during this "lockdown" period and highlight the protocols we followed and lessons we learned from this situation. Result Two patients from "red zones" for COVID-19 pandemic presented with acute abdomen, one a 64-year male, who presented with perforation peritonitis and another, a 57-year male with acute intestinal obstruction due to sigmoid volvulus. They also had associated COVID-19 symptoms. COVID-19 test could not be done at the time of their presentation to the hospital. Patients underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy assuming them to be positive for the infection. Surgical team was donned with full coverall personal protective equipment. Sudden and uncontrolled egression intraperitoneal free gas was avoided, Echelon flex 60 staplers were used to resect the volvulus without allowing the gas from the volvulus to escape; mesocolon was divided using vascular reload of the stapler, no electrosurgical devices were used to avoid the aerosolization of viral particles. Colostomy was done in both the patients. Both the patients turned out to be negative for COVID-19 subsequently and discharged from hospital in stable condition. Conclusion Surgeons need to adapt to safely execute emergency surgical procedures during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. Preparedness is of paramount importance. Full precautionary measures should be taken when dealing with any suspected case.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the use of laparoscopy has been discouraged by the Intercollegiate General Surgery because of its potential for aerosol generation and infection. In contrast, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery recommend continuing to use laparoscopy but with devices to filter released CO2 aerosol particles. However, commercially available systems are costly and may not be readily available. Herein, we describe a custom-made system to safely remove surgical smoke and CO2 , as well as a case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in which we used it. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The patient had had multiple episodes of biliary pancreatitis and required urgent cholecystectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although India was in complete lockdown, it was decided to operate with precaution. A system was designed using underwater seal chest tube drainage and an electrostatic membrane filter with a viral retention function greater than 99.99%. The system was connected to an extra port for continuous controlled egression of CO2 pneumoperitoneum. A regular four-port cholecystectomy was performed at an intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mm Hg. The gas flow rate was 10 L/min. CO2 for pneumoperitoneum, surgical aerosol, and effluents passed through the system before collecting in the suction apparatus. The exchange of operating instruments through the ports was kept to a minimum. It was done after the abdomen was temporarily desufflated using this system. DISCUSSION: The system we designed appears safe and is cost-effective. In resource-limited settings, it will be handy in patients requiring laparoscopic surgery both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.