Changes in Colorectal Cancer Practices during the Early COVID-19 Period

Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the management of colorectal cancer patients during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected our daily routine. We aimed to compare our results between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, and evaluate any seasonal differences within the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Our retrospective study was conducted in a single center. We included all participants who had elective and emergency gastrointestinal operations due to colorectal cancer between March 2019 and March 2021. Participant data were separated and compared between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, with the latter divided into two groups (Group 1: Phase 1-2, Group 2: Phase 3). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the cases treated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period in terms of mean age, gender distribution, diagnosis, tumor location, American Society of Anesthetists (ASA) score, recurrence, or mortality (p>0.05). We found no differences between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in admission to the hospital, surgical approach, need for stoma, complications, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), total hospitalization, or tumor stage (p>0.05). However, we observed that the percentage of open surgical operations was statistically significantly higher, and the percentage of laparoscopic surgical operations was statistically significantly lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p=0.020). Conclusion: The pandemic periods should not be assessed with the same perspective. Treatment approaches can change according to hospital capacity during peak periods of COVID-19 disease.

Analysis of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy results during the Covid-19 pandemic. A high-volume single-Center experience

PURPOSE: The histopathological effects of the COVID-19 period on the upper gastrointestinal system are not clearly known. This study is the first in the literature to compare the results of upper endoscopic biopsy before and during the COVID-19 period. METHODS: Data of 10510 patients who underwent upper endoscopy with a given biopsy sample during the procedure between March 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively scanned. Patients are divided into two groups as the pre-pandemic period patients and the COVID-19 pandemic period patients. The pathological data of these patients were statistically analyzed according to the Sydney classification. RESULTS: Group 1 comprised of 6,787 patients with 3,915 females and 2872 males (F:M=1.3:1), while Group 2 with 1,734 females and 1,455 males (F:M=1.2:1), and this gender difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.002). A comparison of the patient groups in terms of the inflammation, activation, intestinal metaplasia, and presence of H. pylori revealed a significant difference, with higher rates recorded in the COVID-19 period than in the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the pandemic period, the results of the upper endoscopic biopsy are adversely affected by various factors compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Analysis of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy results during the Covid-19 pandemic. A high-volume single-Center experience

PURPOSE: The histopathological effects of the COVID-19 period on the upper gastrointestinal system are not clearly known. This study is the first in the literature to compare the results of upper endoscopic biopsy before and during the COVID- 19 period. METHODS: Data of 10510 patients who underwent upper endoscopy with a given biopsy sample during the procedure between March 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively scanned. Patients are divided into two groups as the prepandemic period patients and the COVID-19 pandemic period patients. The pathological data of these patients were statistically analyzed according to the Sydney classification. RESULTS: Group 1 comprised of 6,787 patients with 3,915 females and 2872 males (F:M=1.3:1), while Group 2 with 1,734 females and 1,455 males (F:M=1.2:1), and this gender difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.002). A comparison of the patient groups in terms of the inflammation, activation, intestinal metaplasia, and presence of H. pylori revealed a significant difference, with higher rates recorded in the COVID-19 period than in the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the pandemic period, the results of the upper endoscopic biopsy are adversely affected by various factors compared to the pre-pandemic period. KEY WORDS: Biopsy, COVID-19, Sydney classification, Upper endoscopy.