Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations in general surgery clinics in Turkey

The Covid-19 pandemic spread rapidly throughout Turkey from March 2020 onward, and despite modified working conditions in the surgical clinics of our hospitals, some surgical patients became infected with the coronavirus during their perioperative period.

The present study investigates the impact of the novel coronavirus on patients undergoing general surgical operations in our clinics during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of all surgeries performed in the general surgery clinics of two 'pandemic hospitals' between March 19 and April 30, 2020 - a period when all elective surgeries were suspended in hospitals within Turkey. Demographic data, comorbidities, choice of anesthesia method, blood parameters, duration of stay in hospital and the intensive care unit and mortality rates were compared statistically with the frequency of postoperative Covid-19 positivity in these patients.

A total of 275 surgical operations were performed during this period. Covid-19 was identified in seven patients during the postoperative period, and was more commonly diagnosed in those who were elderly and those with comorbidities. (p=0.02, p=0.02). Statistically significant correlations were found between a Covid-19 diagnosis and admission to the intensive care unit, the length of hospital stay and the length of stay in intensive care (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.01). Mortality was observed in two patients who developed Covid-19 postoperatively (p= 0.03).

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on patients undergoing operations in our general surgery clinics. Precautionary measures taken during postoperative care should be maximized for high-risk patients.

Covid-19 pandemic, General surgery clinics, Novel coronavirus, Gastrointestinal system surgery.