ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: To describe the outcomes of elective cancer surgeries and adverse consequences on the patients and medical staff due to the surgical interventions in children during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.The study included children younger than 15âyears who underwent elective cancer surgeries from March 4, 2020 and December 3, 2020.A total of 121 patients (62% male; median age, 3âyears) underwent surgery. The surgical procedures included nephrectomies (nâ=â18), neuroblastoma (nâ=â26) and soft tissue tumor resections (nâ=â24) and complex surgical procedures like extended liver resections (nâ=â2), intra-atrial thrombectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass (nâ=â2), pancreatoduodenectomy (nâ=â1), and free microvascular flaps (nâ=â7). Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications were 5% (nâ=â6), and there were no postoperative deaths. Preoperative COVID-19 testing was performed in 82% of children, and only 2% showed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positivity. Postoperatively, 26 children were tested because of specific symptoms and, 6 tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Except for a median delay of 23âdays in treatment, none of the patients with COVID-19 required critical hospital management. None of the surgical residents or faculty acquired COVID-19, while 4 each medical and support staff were tested positive in the study period.COVID-19 was not a deterrent for continued cancer care, and surgeries could be safely performed adopting universal preventive measures without any added morbidity from COVID-19. Caregivers and centers dealing with childhood cancers can be encouraged to sustain or seek early healthcare.