CoViD-19 Pandemic and Bariatric Surgery in Argentina

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Surgical Specialties
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid public health interventions globally.
• Argentina implemented measures to control viral spread, affecting healthcare services.
• Bariatric surgery (BS) is a specialized field with potential economic implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric surgery practices in Argentina.
• To understand surgeons' perspectives on pandemic-related disruptions and potential solutions.
• To inform the development of recommendations for the safe resumption of elective BS.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 83 surgeons in Argentina.
• The survey assessed the perceived impact of the pandemic on BS, economic factors, institutional preparedness, and surgical practices.
• Data on surgical procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and telemedicine adoption were collected.

Main Results:

• Bariatric surgery was suspended in nearly all institutions, despite continued performance of other laparoscopic procedures.
• Most surgeons expressed high economic dependence on BS and indicated a reluctance to alter standard surgical algorithms.
• Ninety-five percent of surgeons offered virtual consultations, and high levels of PPE were used even for non-COVID-19 suspected patients.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic led to a significant halt in bariatric surgery, highlighting its economic vulnerability.
• Surgeons' opinions were crucial in guiding the restart of elective BS, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines and patient selection criteria.
• The findings contributed to the formulation of official recommendations for resuming BS in Argentina.