ABSTRACT
Introduction In Spain the state of alarm secondary to COVID-19 dramatically changed the medical and surgical assistance activity of other pathologies. Regarding urological pathologies, those considered as “non-urgent” (andrology and reconstructive surgery) were postponed or even unattended. Material and methods In May 2020, once the first COVID-19 wave was almost over and still in the state of alarm, a 24-item survey was sent to 120 urologists from the Andrology Group and the Urologic Reconstructive Surgery Group of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU). Its aim was to determine the impact on clinical and surgical practice in both subspecialties. Results We observed a response rate of 75.8% with 91 answered surveys. Before the state of alarm, 49.5% of urologists had 1–2 weekly surgical sessions available, surgical waiting list was 3–12 months for the 71.4%, and 39.6% attended between 20–40 patients weekly in office. During the state of alarm, 95.6% were given any kind of surgical guidelines, prioritizing emergency and oncologic pathologies. In the 85.7% of the hospitals neither andrology nor reconstructive surgeries were performed. In office, around 50% of patients were attended not on-site, most of them through telemedicine (phone calls and e-mails). Conclusions The negative pandemic implications in relation to the andrology and reconstructive surgery pathologies were truly important. After almost 2 years from the start of the pandemic, the true final impact on our health system has yet to be determined.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In Spain the state of alarm secondary to COVID-19 dramatically changed the medical and surgical assistance activity of other pathologies. Regarding urological pathologies, those considered as "non-urgent" (andrology and reconstructive surgery) were postponed or even unattended. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In May 2020, once the first COVID-19 wave was almost over and still in the state of alarm, a 24-item survey was sent to 120 urologists from the Andrology Group and the Urologic Reconstructive Surgery Group of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU). Its aim was to determine the impact on clinical and surgical practice in both subspecialties. RESULTS: We observed a response rate of 75.8% with 91 answered surveys. Before the state of alarm, 49.5% of urologists had 1-2 weekly surgical sessions available, surgical waiting list was 3-12 months for the 71.4%, and 39.6% attended between 20-40 patients weekly in office. During the state of alarm, 95.6% were given any kind of surgical guidelines, prioritizing emergency and oncologic pathologies. In the 85.7% of the hospitals neither andrology nor reconstructive surgeries were performed. In office, around 50% of patients were attended not on-site, most of them through telemedicine (phone calls and e-mails). CONCLUSIONS: The negative pandemic implications in relation to the andrology and reconstructive surgery pathologies were truly important. After almost 2 years from the start of the pandemic, the true final impact on our health system has yet to be determined.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In Spain the state of alarm secondary to COVID-19 dramatically changed the medical and surgical assistance activity of other pathologies. Regarding urological pathologies, those considered as «non-urgent¼ (andrology and reconstructive surgery) were postponed or even unattended. Material and methods: In May 2020, once the first COVID-19 wave was almost over and still in the state of alarm, a 24-item survey was sent to 120 urologists from the Andrology Group and the Urologic Reconstructive Surgery Group of the Spanish Urological Association (AEU). Its aim was to determine the impact on clinical and surgical practice in both subspecialties. Results: We observed a response rate of 75.8% with 91 answered surveys. Before the state of alarm, 49.5% of urologists had 1-2 weekly surgical sessions available, surgical waiting list was 3-12 months for the 71.4%, and 39.6% attended between 20-40 patients weekly in office. During the state of alarm, 95.6% were given any kind of surgical guidelines, prioritizing emergency and oncologic pathologies. In the 85.7% of the hospitals neither andrology nor reconstructive surgeries were performed. In office, around 50% of patients were attended not on-site, most of them through telemedicine (phone calls and e-mails). Conclusions: The negative pandemic implications in relation to the andrology and reconstructive surgery pathologies were truly important. After almost 2 years from the start of the pandemic, the true final impact on our health system has yet to be determined.
ABSTRACT
Introducción El estado de alarma debido a la COVID-19 revolucionó la actividad asistencial y quirúrgica. Dentro de la enfermedad urológica, aquellas consideradas «demorables» como la andrológica y la reconstructiva sufrieron un retraso considerable en su atención. Material y métodos En mayo de 2020, tras haber superado casi la primera ola de la pandemia y en pleno estado de alarma, se envió una encuesta con 24 ítems a 120 urólogos integrados en los Grupos de Cirugía Reconstructiva Urológica y Andrología de la Asociación Española de Urología (AEU) para conocer la repercusión asistencial sobre la actividad clínica y quirúrgica en ambas subespecialidades. Resultados Se alcanzó una tasa de respuesta del 75,8% con 91 encuestas recibidas. Previo al estado de alarma, el 49,5% disponía de uno a 2 quirófanos semanales, el 71,4% afrontaba una lista de espera quirúrgica de entre 3 y 12 meses, y el 39,6% atendía entre 20 y 40 pacientes semanales en consulta. Durante el estado de alarma, el 95,6% recibió directrices sobre cirugías a realizar, priorizando la cirugía urgente y la oncológica. En el 85,7% de los centros no se realizó ninguna cirugía andrológica ni reconstructiva. Alrededor del 50% de las consultas no fueron presenciales, recurriendo a la telemedicina (teléfono o e-mail) en la mayoría de los casos. Conclusiones Las repercusiones de la pandemia sobre las enfermedades andrológicas y las candidatas a cirugía reconstructiva fueron muy importantes. Tras casi 2 años del inicio de la pandemia, aún queda por determinar el verdadero impacto final en nuestro sistema sanitario.