COVID-19 disruption will lead to as many as 28 million surgeries cancelled worldwide
COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death – global study
Many patients currently waiting for operations across the globe have faced the prospect of having their procedures delayed or even cancelled in the light off the COVID-19 pandemic.
New research by the COVIDSurg collaborative has projected that, over a 12-week period of peak disruption to hospital services due to COVID-19, 28.4 million elective surgeries worldwide were cancelled or postponed in 2020.
Data derived from surgeons across 359 hospitals and 71 countries resulted in the projections. The modelling study also suggested that each additional week of disruption to hospital services will lead to a further 2.4 million cancellations.
The full paper can be viewed here.
COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death – global study
COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death – global study
Patients admitted to hospital for surgical procedures after contracting COVID-19 are at a greatly increased risk of postoperative death, compared to patients undergoing surgery who do not have SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Research conducted through the COVIDSurg collaborative has provided evidence that shows the impact that COVID-19 is having on patients who undergo surgical procedures across the world.
Data collected for 1,128 patients from 235 hospitals, located across 24 countries has resulted in the collective recommending that thresholds for surgery during the pandemic are raised compared to normal practice.
The full paper can be read here.
‘COVID-19 free’ hospital areas could save lives after surgery – global study
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic rise of the number of patients admitted to hospital around the globe who either inadvertently spread the virus or become infected once on site.
Researchers working together through the COVIDSurg collaborative have identified that patients who had their operation and hospital care in ‘COVID-19 free’ areas had better outcomes. ‘COVID-19 free’ areas improved the safety of surgery by having a strict policy that no patients treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection were mixed with those undergoing surgery.
Data collected from 9171 patients in 55 countries has shown, for the first time, that hospitals around the world can continue to operate safely on patients by setting up these areas that minimise transmission of the virus.
The full paper can be viewed here.
Patients should receive COVID-19 vaccine before surgery to reduce risk of postoperative death
Patients who are waiting for elective surgery should be given COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the general population in order to minimise the risk of post-operative deaths linked to the virus.
A new study published by the COVIDSurg collaborative has demonstrated the need for vaccination, based on the high risks that patients face, particularly when being operated on during the pandemic. Patients are at between 4- and 8- fold increased risk of death following surgery, with a patient aged 70 years or over having a mortality rate of 18.6% if they catch SARS-CoV-2 infection, up from an average rate of 2.8% without infection.
The team estimate that global prioritisation of pre-operative vaccination for elective patients could prevent an additional 58,687 COVID-19 deaths in one year.
The full paper can be viewed here.
NIHR-funded study shows patients who isolate before surgery are 20% more likely to develop postoperative lung complications
NIHR-funded study shows patients who isolate before surgery are 20% more likely to develop postoperative lung complications
The COVID-19 pandemic has required patients across the globe to isolate prior to surgery to minimise exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications.
A new global study from the COVIDSurg collaborative has shown a clear link between isolation of such groups and increased risk of developing post-operative lung complications, compared with patients who do not isolate.
The research team said that the results of the study go against current guidance in common use which mandates isolation before surgery.
The paper can be viewed here.
One in seven patients miss cancer surgery during COVID lockdowns
One in seven patients miss cancer surgery during COVID lockdowns – study
With the introduction of lockdowns across the globe, various planned surgeries, including cancer surgery were affected, regardless of the local COVID-19 rates at the time
This issue has been particularly prevalent in lower income countries, with patients at the highest risk of missing their surgery.
The link between lockdowns and delays to surgery and potentially more cancer deaths has been highlighted in a new study by COVIDSurg researchers. The paper argues for major global reorganisation during the recovery from the pandemic to allow surgery to continue safely.
The paper can be viewed here.
Urgent changes needed to global guidelines designed to stop surgical site infection
Wound infections are the most common problem after surgery, with this issue being particularly prevalent in developing countries.
New innovations have promised to tackle this issue, but the release of findings from a new study from the FALCON collaborative demonstrate a clear need to change current guidelines.
Carried out in Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa, the FALCON trial found that using more expensive interventions to prevent Surgical Site Infection (SSI) were no better than cheaper alternatives.
The full paper can be viewed here.