Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Time of Coronavirus: A Level-1 Trauma Center's Experience.
Am Surg
; : 31348221121552, 2022 Sep 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2020683
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S., offers a window into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine surgical care. The purpose of our study was to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at a Level-1 trauma center on the performance rate of non-elective LC over time.METHODS:
A retrospective chart review from July 2019 to December 2020 identified all non-elective LC cases performed at a level-1 trauma center. Patients were categorized into 4 temporal phases along the course of the pandemic based on statewide incidence data on COVID-19 pre-pandemic, peak 1, recovery, and peak 2. We compared the phases based on demographic information and outcomes.RESULTS:
In total, 176 patients were reviewed. The performance rate in cases/day varied as follows pre-pandemic .61, 1st peak .34, recovery .44, and 2nd peak .53. The complication rate was highest in the 2nd peak (16%) (P < .05). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the intra-pandemic period had a higher incidence of complicated gallbladder disease (P < .05). In the non-elderly subgroup, complicated gallbladder disease was significantly more prevalent in the intra-pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period (25% vs 10%, P < .05).CONCLUSIONS:
Our data suggests a learning curve throughout the course of the pandemic, reflecting a stepwise increase in the performance rate of LC. The higher incidence of complicated gallbladder disease in the intra-pandemic period may imply patient hesitancy to seek routine surgical care, especially among younger patients.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Am Surg
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
00031348221121552
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