Colorectal Surgery in Romania during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic extends, its negative consequences on the effectiveness of therapeutic programs - previously assumed by the medical community and imperatively suspended for a difficult-to-predict period of time - are becoming increasingly worrying. In this context, as the evidence-based recommendations are not possible, most of the national and international scientific societies tried to develop balanced recommendations (1-4). The Romanian Society of Coloproctology (SRCP) and the Romanian Association for Endoscopic Surgery (ARCE) have created a working group that, taking into account recent publications, the statements of international academic societies, the national legislative context and the unique experience of countries severely affected by this pandemic (China, Italy, Spain, USA, etc.) proposes for Romania, the following recommendations for medical practice in colorectal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations are subjected to continuous review, depending on the global and national situation of the pandemic, the particular needs of each hospital, the recommendations of the competent authorities and the evolution of the literature that publishes the conclusions of ongoing clinical trials.