EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY IN A SINGLE CENTER IN PORTUGAL: ANALYSIS OF EMERGENCY CASES AND TREATMENT PATTERNS

Abstract

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic triggered substantial shifts in healthcare priorities, redirecting resources to address unprecedented emergency needs. Concerns about how COVID-19 might affect surgical outcomes prompted our investigation, given the complex interplay of factors across diverse healthcare settings. Our study sought to understand the impact of emergency declarations on the treatment of inguinal hernias, examining changes in elective versus emergent surgeries, as well as variations in surgical techniques and care settings. Method Analyzing five years of data (2019–2023) from a single institution in Almada, Portugal, we collected demographic and procedural information, comparing patients treated during the pandemic's confinement period (March 18, 2020, to April 30, 2021) with those treated before and after this period. Results Of the 1764 identified patients, 1004 underwent surgery elsewhere, leaving 760 for analysis. While only 2.9% required emergency surgery, some elective cases were labeled as "delayed urgencies" or "high priority," suggesting potential influences of emergencies on elective treatment decisions. Before the pandemic, 4.3% underwent emergency surgery, dropping to 1.1% during the emergency period, and rising to 3.1% afterward, though these changes lacked statistical significance. Laparoscopic surgeries increased gradually, while ambulatory procedures decreased, likely due to local restrictions rather than COVID-19. Conclusion Our findings echo previous research indicating a decrease in emergency surgeries contrary to expectations. However, data biases may exist, highlighted by an uptick in patients receiving surgery within 15 days, possibly reflecting shifts in healthcare accessibility rather than direct COVID-19 effects.