Page 91 - World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery

Elective Cholecystectomy during COVID-19
patients were reviewed by their GP postoperatively for a wound Clinical Significance
infection, and nausea. There were no bile leaks or bile duct injuries. This small study provides some evidence to aid decision-making
There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery. Four patients had a around the provision of elective surgical services during this
cholecystostomy drain in-situ at the time of surgery. All procedures ongoing pandemic.
were completed laparoscopically. Forty-two (78%) procedures were
performed by a supervised trainee. Statement of Ethics
Ethics committee approval was not required as this study was
dIscussIon approved by the University Hospitals Plymouth Research and
A survey of over 1,700 surgeons in June 2020 in the UK showed that Development Department as a service evaluation.
only 33% had been unable to undertake any elective surgery during
the previous 4 weeks, and only 57% of general surgeons who had Author Contributions
8
recommenced were performing surgery for benign disease. While DC/TW/GS/AA/LH/RJ designed the study, data collection and
recovery of elective surgical services is now underway in many analysis performed by RJ/AM. Article written by RJ. All authors
areas, further suspension or reductions have become necessary revised and approved the final version.
over the periods of local or national lockdown, and this is likely to
continue for some time. With the effects of the ongoing vaccination
program yet to be determined, we must consider how to safely references
maintain elective services during the ongoing pandemic. 1. Collaborative CO. Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients
At the time of writing, this was the first UK study to report undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an
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COVID-19 pandemic. The principal findings of this study were that 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31182-X.
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conclusIon 12. NICE. Costing statement: gallstone disease. Implementing the NICE
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Elective surgery was suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 13. BBC. Coronavirus UK map: how many confirmed cases are there
pandemic in the UK, the prolonged nature of this pandemic with in your area? 2020. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
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World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery, Volume 15 Issue 1 (January–April 2022) 89