Scenario of Elective Colorectal Oncology Surgeries During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world health scenario, causing numerous problems related to the overload of services. In this scenario, the approach to oncological diseases becomes a challenge, considering the risk of progression of cancer disease and death due to delay in diagnosis and treatment. Faced with this exceptional situation, coloproctology services have been forced to change their routine to adapt to the new reality, considering risks and benefits in the conduct of these patients. Thus, the experience of the coloproctology service at the Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is described, evaluating the possibility of maintaining elective oncological surgeries through selection by directed anamnesis. Method Retrospective cohort study with prospective collection comparing colorectal surgery for cancer before and during the pandemic from December 2019 to July 2020. Results In total, 81 patients were included. During the pandemic, 41 patients were operated on with 2 perioperative contaminations by COVID-19. Both length of stay and complications were not different between groups. Conclusion Since there was no increase in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in elective oncology surgeries with patients screened for guided anamnesis, it is worth considering this method for maintaining surgical procedures even in the event of a pandemic.