Frequency of Minor and Major Surgeries in Patients with COVID19

COVID-19 has significantly affected surgical care, leading to increased rates of emergency interventions in hospitalized patients. Understanding the frequency and types of minor and major surgeries in this population is essential for planning and resource allocation during pandemics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess frequency of minor and major surgeries in patients with COVID19.

This cross-sectional study included patients with COVID-19 who underwent minor or major surgeries in Kowsar Semnan Hospital during 2018-2019. Data were collected using a structured checklist encompassing demographic and clinical characteristics extracted from patients' medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS26 software. Descriptive statistics including mean (±SD) and frequency (%) were applied, and analytical comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests with a significance level of P < 0.05.

The mean ages (±SD) of men and women were 63.37 (±18.38) and 65.64 (±18.79) years, respectively. Overall, 74% of patients were hospitalized in the ICU and 26% in the general ward. Among minor procedures, central venous catheter insertion and Shaldon catheter placement were most frequent (58.2% and 43%, respectively). Orthopedic, general, thoracic, and neurosurgical procedures were the most common major surgeries (6%, 4.7%, 2.7%, and 2.3%, respectively). The frequency of minor surgeries in men hospitalized in the ICU was higher than in women. Similarly, major surgeries-including orthopedic, neurological, urological, vascular, and plastic interventions-were more frequent in men.

In this cohort of COVID-19 patients, central venous catheterization and Shaldon catheter insertion were the predominant minor procedures, whereas orthopedic, general, thoracic, and neurosurgical operations were the leading major surgeries. Ensuring adequate preparedness for these interventions is essential during epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic.