IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON EMERGENCY SURGICAL MANAGEMENT AT VICTORIA AND BOWRING HOSPITAL, BMCRI BANGALORE.

Abstract

Aim: To study the outcomes of emergency surgical management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology- A retrospective study was done on the emergency services provided at BMCRI Bangalore from April 1st to December 31st 2020 when the impact of COVID-19 was highest. COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients were both included, who underwent surgeries for their acute surgical emergency. Sars CoV RTPCR test was done for all patients. For Haemodynamically unstable patients, surgery was done after Rapid antigen testing without waiting for RTPCR reports. All these patients were observed for postoperative outcomes till they were t for discharge. A total of 196 patients were included in the study who underwent surgeries for acute emergencies. Results reveal that, 5.2% Results- patients were tested to be COVID-19 positive before the procedure. 24% of them were tested positive after the surgery. Post-operative complications were noted in 17.4% of patients, of which 15.3% were COVID-19 positive group. Mortality rate of 7.6% was noted in COVID-19 positive group and 1.6% in COVID-19 negative patients. Signicant increase in wait Conclusion- ing time for surgery and duration of surgery was seen during this pandemic. Morbidity and mortality was noted to be signicantly increased in COVID19 positive patients who also presented with concurrent surgical emergencies. Despite the fact that operating with PPE, increased duration of surgery and is laborious, it is mandatory to wear them regardless of the rapid antigen test negative status of patients presenting with acute surgical emergency requiring lifesaving emergency procedures.