Resuming Elective Laparoscopic Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic: Our Experience and Challenges Faced

ABSTRACT

Background: SARS-CoV-2 virus infection was detected and discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and it was declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020. Since then a lot of changes were noticed in surgical practice. Various recommendations were released by eminent surgical associations all over the world. This study was designed to study and analyze the findings and experience after resuming elective minimal invasive surgery during the pandemic. Materials and methods: This observational study was conducted at St Joseph’s Hospital, Ghaziabad, from May 2020 to May 2021. Various preoperative and postoperative findings were noticed and analyzed. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus was also analyzed in endotracheal aspirate and surgical smoke. Observation and results: A total of 287 cases underwent surgery. Most commonly performed surgery was laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 during preoperative work-up was 2.87%. Slightly more than 5% of cases in postoperative period had COVID-19-like symptoms. None of those patients were found positive on RT-PCR, and X-ray/CT findings were also suggestive of early postoperative changes only. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detected in either endotracheal aspirate or surgical smoke. Neither surgery team nor OT staff had infection during this period. There was no mortality, and only 1 patient was found to be infected 2 weeks after discharge. Conclusion: Minimal invasive surgery for elective cases can be safely performed by taking precautions like PPE and smoke evacuation system during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no evidence of transmission of infection through endotracheal aspirate or surgical smoke.