ID: 3524458 EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE ACUTE ESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to significant strain on the Emergency Department (ED) visits around the world. Multiple stay-at-home orders were issued during the pandemic unless medical treatment is urgently needed. Acute esophageal obstruction (AEO) due to food/ foreign body impaction usually present to the ED given its severe symptoms. It is unclear if ED visits from AEO changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (US).