Abstract

Objective: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made it difficult to manage both all healthcare systems and surgical clinics. General surgery clinics have been restructured. In this study, we present our results regarding the management of elective cancer surgery and emergency general surgery patients in the general surgery clinic in the early phase of the pandemic.

Methods: All patients (covid period) followed in our clinic between March 11, 2020 and June 1, 2020 were included in the study. Emergency cases and elective cancer cases were followed up in the same period last year (non-covid period) in the comparison group.

Results: A total of 173 patients were followed up in our pandemic and non-pandemic hospitals during the pandemic period. 44.5% were oncology, 55.5% were emergency cases. The average length of stay in the hospital was significantly shorter for all patients compared to last year. During the pandemic period, there was no significant difference in terms of complications and mortality development compared to the previous year. In the COVID-19 period, the most common reason for emergency operations was acute appendicitis cases, and the most common cause of oncological surgery was breast cancer. During the pandemic period, there was a significant decrease in the number of emergency trauma cases and oncological thyroid cancer surgeries.

Conclusion: During pandemic periods, “pandemic hospital” and “non-pandemic hospital” should be established and health personnel working order should be adjusted accordingly. At our institution, this structure was been created quickly and a successful organization has been established when the early results of the pandemic are examined.