Impact of Covid 19 Pandemic on Surgical Outcomes, A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Abstract Background: Covid 19 is global pandemic that affected millions of people worldwide causing extreme limitations in hospital admission for non-emergency surgical diseases. Aim of Study: To assess the effect of Covid 19 infection on surgerical outcomes (surgery related complications, ICU admission and mortality rates. Patients and Methods: Data of all patients admitted to Al-Zahraa University Hospital in the Departments of General, Vascular, and Pediatric Surgeries was collected regarding age, sex, type of operation, associated risk factors, infection by Covid 19, surgery related complications, ICU admission, mortality, also postponed patients. Results: Of 784 patients in three departments 54 patients were infected with Covid 19 (6.88%), significant increase in surgery related morbidity in Covid infected patients with a p-value <0.001 more at vascular and pediatric patients in comparison to general surgery patients with p-value 0.045, respectively. Also significant increase in ICU admission, need for respiratory aid and mortality rate with p 0.044, this increased risk is more with presence of ischemic heart disease IHD p=0.014 , 0.07 respectively and congenital heart disease p=0.018. Conclusion: Covid 19 affects surgical patients by great restriction of elective procedures, delayed scheduling even worse surgical outcomes