Continuing cancer surgery through the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic at an academic university hospital in India: A lower-middle-income country experience.
J Surg Oncol
; 123(5): 1177-1187, 2021 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1074349
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) hinders the treatment of non-COVID illnesses like cancer, which may be pronounced in lower-middle-income countries.METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study audited the performance of a tertiary care surgical oncology department at an academic hospital in India during the first six months of the pandemic. Difficulties faced by patients, COVID-19-related incidents (preventable cases of hospital transmission), and modifications in practice were recorded.RESULTS:
From April to September 2020, outpatient consultations, inpatient admissions, and chemotherapy unit functioning reduced by 62%, 58%, and 56%, respectively, compared to the same period the previous year. Major surgeries dropped by 31% with a decrease across all sites, but an increase in head and neck cancers (p = .012, absolute difference 8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75% - 14.12%). Postoperative complications were similar (p = .593, 95% CI -2.61% - 4.87%). Inability to keep a surgical appointment was primarily due to apprehension of infection (52%) or arranging finances (49%). Two COVID-19-related incidents resulted in infecting 27 persons. Fifteen instances of possible COVID-19-related mishaps were averted.CONCLUSIONS:
We observed a decrease in the operations of the department without any adverse impact in postoperative outcomes. While challenging, treating cancer adequately during COVID-19 can be accomplished by adequate screening and testing, and religiously following the prevention guidelines.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Surgical Oncology
/
COVID-19
/
Hospitals, University
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Surg Oncol
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jso.26419
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