ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to achieve consensus amongst a global panel of expert bariatric surgeons on various aspects of resuming Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (BMS) during the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A modified Delphi consensus-building protocol was used to build consensus amongst 44 globally recognised bariatric surgeons. The experts were asked to either agree or disagree with 111 statements they collectively proposed over two separate rounds. An agreement amongst ≥ 70.0% of experts was construed as consensus as per the predetermined methodology. We present here 38 of our key recommendations. This first global consensus statement on the resumption of BMS can provide a framework for multidisciplinary BMS teams planning to resume local services as well as guide future research in this area.
Subject(s)
Bariatric Surgery , COVID-19 , Consensus , Delphi Technique , Humans , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Argentina was able to anticipate public health interventions in order to flatten the contagion curve of CoViD-19. Eighty-three surgeons answered an online survey to assess the impact of the pandemic on bariatric surgery (BS) in Argentina. Most of them showed a high economic dependence on BS. Near 90% of health institutions were on phase 0 or I. While 90% still performed other laparoscopic surgeries, BS was suspended. In many surgeries for nonsuspected CoViD-19 patients, high personnel protection resources were applied. Ninety-five percent offered virtual consults. Most surgeons would not change usual algorithms or techniques. To restart BS a scientific society recommendation was expected, including patient selection criteria. The opinions gathered by this survey were taken into account to elaborate official recommendations for restarting elective BS.