Analysis of treatment outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has made adjustments to the health care system. Among other things, it has led to shortened hospital stays. In the surgical treatment of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), the possibility of reducing the bed-day is limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of treatment of CRC patients during and before the pandemic new coronavirus infection. Material and methods. We analyzed the results of treatment of patients with CRC who were treated at the Oppel Hospital Surgery Clinic in 2015 and 2020. Group A included 58 patients treated in 2020, Group B included 44 patients treated in 2015. Patients with stage II disease predominated in both groups: in group A — 31 patients (53.4%), in group B — 19 (43.2%). Results. The average period of hospitalization in the patients of the group A was 12 days, in the group B — 16 days in the patients with uncomplicated postoperative period, in case of complications — 31 days. In group B 47.7% of surgical interventions were performed using laparoscopic techniques, in group A this index was 74.1%. In Group A complications in the early postoperative period were detected in 8 patients (13.8%). In group B complications were diagnosed in 10 patients (22.7%). The incidence of anastomosis failure tended to decrease in group A. In group B six patients (85.7%) who developed this complication required repeated surgical treatment, and in group A only two patients (50%). Discussion. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the recommendations for perioperative management of patients with CRC and prevention of anastomosis failure. Conclusion. Based on the results obtained, we can say that the quality of surgical care for patients with CRC was avoided during the pandemic. The implementation of research recommendations in this area has helped to reduce the incidence of serious postoperative complications (anastomosis failure).