ABSTRACT
Introduction Since the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, we have experienced a reduction in admissions in our Service and a decrease in urgent surgical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence of potentially surgical abdominal emergency in our center during the epidemic of COVID-19. Methods A retrospective study was designed. It included all patients admitted for urgent abdominal pathology with potential surgical treatment in our General and Digestive Surgery Department from February 24, 2020 to April 19, 2020. Results Eighty-nine patients with a mean age of 58.85±22.2 were included. The median time from symptom onset to the Emergency Department (ED) visit was 48 (P25-P75 = 24-96) hours. On arrival at the ED, 18 (20%) patients presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Fifty-one (57%) surgical procedures were performed. The rate of post-surgical complications at 30 days was 31% and the mortality rate was 2%. Concerning the same period from 2017 to 2019, the mean number of admissions from the ED to our Department decreased by 14% during the epidemic period. Conclusion There has been a decrease in the number of patients admitted for urgent, potentially surgical, abdominal pathology during the period of the COVID-19 epidemic in our center. Resumen Introducción Desde la aparición en diciembre de 2019 del SARS-CoV-2 en la ciudad de Wuhan, China, hemos experimentado un descenso en los ingresos en nuestro Servicio y disminución de la actividad quirúrgica urgente. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la incidencia de la patología abdominal urgente potencialmente quirúrgica en nuestro centro durante la epidemia por COVID-19. Métodos Se diseñó un estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados por patología abdominal urgente potencialmente quirúrgica en nuestro Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo desde el 24 de febrero de 2020 hasta el 19 de abril de 2020. Resultados Se incluyeron 89 pacientes con una edad media de 58,85 ± 22,2. La mediana de tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta la consulta en el Servicio de Urgencias fue de 48 (P25-P75 = 24-96) horas. A su llegada a Urgencias 18 (20%) pacientes presentaban criterios de síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SRIS). Se realizaron 51 (57%) intervenciones quirúrgicas. La tasa de complicaciones postquirúrgicas a los 30 días fue del 31% y la tasa de mortalidad de 2%. Con respecto al mismo período de los años 2017 a 2019, la media de ingresos desde Urgencias en nuestro Servicio descendió un 14% durante el período de epidemia. Conclusiones Se ha producido un descenso en el número de pacientes que son ingresados por patología abdominal urgente potencialmente quirúrgica durante la epidemia por COVID-19 en nuestro centro.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Since the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, we have experienced a reduction in admissions in our Service and a decrease in urgent surgical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the incidence of potentially surgical abdominal emergency in our center during the epidemic of COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective study was designed. It included all patients admitted for urgent abdominal pathology with potential surgical treatment in our General and Digestive Surgery Department from February 24, 2020 to April 19, 2020. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with a mean age of 58.85±22.2 were included. The median time from symptom onset to the Emergency Department (ED) visit was 48 (P25-P75 = 24-96) hours. On arrival at the ED, 18 (20%) patients presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Fifty-one (57%) surgical procedures were performed. The rate of post-surgical complications at 30 days was 31% and the mortality rate was 2%. Concerning the same period from 2017 to 2019, the mean number of admissions from the ED to our Department decreased by 14% during the epidemic period. CONCLUSION: There has been a decrease in the number of patients admitted for urgent, potentially surgical, abdominal pathology during the period of the COVID-19 epidemic in our center.