[Effects of the first COVID-19 wave on visceral surgery : A retrospective comparison of case numbers from a university hospital and a primary care hospital].

BACKGROUND

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the downregulation of all elective interventions during the period from 15 March 2020 to 15 May 2020 in Germany led to a decrease in operations. The impact on the number of specific operations in visceral surgery is so far unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 301 patients who underwent a cholecystectomy or appendectomy at a university hospital or a primary care facility between 15 March 2020 and 15 May 2020 (vs. 2018 and 2019). The number of cases and the clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The suspension of elective surgery resulted in a significant reduction in elective cholecystectomy and emergency appendectomy. At the University Hospital the number of appendectomies decreased by 33% from 24 in 2018 to 16 in 2020 and the number of cholecystectomies declined by 57% from 30 in 2018 to 13 in 2020. At the primary care hospital, the number of appendectomy patients decreased by 48% from 23 in 2018 to 12 in 2020 and the number of cholecystectomies increased from the year 2018 to 2019 and subsequently declined by 30% in 2020. The duration of surgery, length of hospital stay and clinical course of patients did not significantly differ from the previous year time periods.

CONCLUSIONS

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown resulted in a significant reduction in frequently carried out visceral surgical interventions. In order to maintain the optimal medical care for the total population, current options for surgical and conservative treatment must be weighed against each other depending on the numbers of local infections and the individual comorbidities of the patients.