Unexpected Decrease in Shunt Surgeries Performed during the Shelter-in-Place Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt malfunctions are common in neurosurgery.
• The COVID-19 pandemic prompted shelter-in-place orders globally.
• It was hypothesized that CSF shunt malfunction incidence would remain stable during this period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CSF shunt surgery volumes.
• To compare shunt surgery numbers during the pandemic lockdown with previous years.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of shunt surgeries at a single institution.
• Data collected for a 28-day period starting mid-March, from 2015 to 2020.
• Surgeries stratified by elective vs. emergent, presentation, and type (e.g., revision).

Main Results:

• A consistent increase in shunt surgeries was observed from 2015 to 2019.
• In 2020, 32 shunt surgeries were performed during the 28-day period, with 15 emergent cases from outpatient settings.
• A statistically significant decrease in revision shunt surgeries was noted in 2020.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an unexpected reduction in overall shunt surgeries.
• Revision shunt surgeries saw a particularly notable decrease.
• Pandemic-related environmental factors may influence the presentation rates of CSF shunt malfunctions.