Urgent Thoracotomy Operations In COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Objective: This study has aimed to share the perioperative management practices and respective outcomes in patients; who underwent urgent thoracotomy due to traumatic hemothorax during the pandemic.Methods: In a single-center, 18 patients; who underwent urgent thoracotomy due to traumatic hemothorax in March 2020 to March 2021, were included in the study retrospectively. Patient data were retrieved from digital archive files. The initial evaluation was performed in the emergency room while wearing complete personal protective equipment. Patients were taken into the operating room under emergency conditions without waiting for the results of the nucleic acid tests performed on oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs. The operation was carried out by involving the minimum number of personnel. In the postoperative period, patients were followed up in a negative pressure intensive care room. Isolation measures were maintained until two novel coronavirus nucleic acid tests on oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs collected 48 hours apart were reported as negative.Results: During the one-year period in the COVID-19 pandemic, 18 patients were operated on with the indication of urgent thoracotomy. Of the patients, 14 were men (77.8%), and 4 were women (22.2%). Nucleic acid test results were negative in 17 patients (94.5%). The nucleic acid test result was reported positive in one patient (5.5%) for samples taken at the 48th hour. Nucleic acid tests were performed on the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs obtained on the fifth and seventh days from the operation personnel. No novel coronavirus transmission occurred in the healthcare personnel. In the postoperative period, 15 patients (83.3%) were successfully treated and discharged from the hospital, but 3 patients (16.7%) died. No morbidity or mortality occurred due to COVID-19.Conclusion: Urgent thoracotomies can be successfully performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Novel coronavirus transmissions can be avoided if relevant healthcare personel comply with isolation measures and use complete personnel protective equipment