Original article

Minimal impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the postoperative morbidity and mortality following emergency general surgery procedures: results from a 3-month observational period

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Abstract

Aim: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the delivery of elective, as well as emergency surgery on a worldwide scale. Up to date few studies have actually assessed the impact of COVID-19 on the postoperative morbidity and mortality following emergency gastrointestinal surgery. Herein, we present our relevant experience over a 3-month period of uninterrupted provision of emergency general surgery services in George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, the United Kingdom.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective institutional database, which included the operation types, paraclinical investigations and postoperative complications of all patients undergoing emergency general surgery operations between March-May 2020.

Results: The occurrence of a 5% overall respiratory complication rate postoperatively, with 3% infection rate for COVID-19 was found; no patient had unplanned return to intensive care for ventilator support and there was no mortality related to COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion: When indicated, emergency surgery should not be delayed in favour of expectant/conservative management in fear of COVID-19-related morbidity or mortality risks.

Keywords: emergency, SARS-CoV-2, surgery

How to Cite:

Seretis, C., Archer, L., Lalou, L., Yahia, S., Katz, C., Parwaiz, I., Haji, A. & Selvam, L., (2020) “Minimal impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the postoperative morbidity and mortality following emergency general surgery procedures: results from a 3-month observational period”, Medicinski glasnik 17(2), 275-278. doi: https://doi.org/10.17392/1229-20