[Covid-19 And Surgical Pathologies In General Surgery Of CHU Gabriel Toure Of Bamako]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Oncology

Context:

• COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) can manifest with gastrointestinal symptoms, challenging initial diagnosis in surgical settings.
• The prevalence and impact of COVID-19 in general surgery patients were previously underestimated.
• Understanding COVID-19's surgical and digestive manifestations is crucial for patient management and infection control.

Purpose:

• To determine the frequency of COVID-19 in general surgery patients.
• To identify circumstances of COVID-19 diagnosis in surgical patients.
• To describe post-operative complications and management strategies for COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery.

Summary:

• A prospective study identified 23 COVID-19 cases (8.91%) among 258 general surgery patients over 18 months.
• Digestive symptoms (abdominal pain, anorexia) were prevalent, alongside pulmonary signs.
• Mortality was high: 60.87% overall and 41.67% in operated patients.

Impact:

• Highlights the significant risk of COVID-19 infection in surgical patients, particularly those with digestive presentations.
• Underscores the need for revised protocols for diagnosing and managing COVID-19 in surgical departments.
• Emphasizes the critical importance of infection control measures to protect patients and healthcare workers.