Surgery Safety Protocol for Patients and Staff During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic – A Prospective Study of 78 Consecutive, Open and Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures

2020 
Background: To evaluate safety, for patients and staff, and efficacy of a protocol for the surgical treatment of patients during COVID-19 pandemic (50 days period) in a hospital located in the northern Italy. Methods: Two different pathways were adopted (non-COVID-19 and COVID-19), with dedicated OR and ICU, and PPE for personnel. A monitoring of patients and staff for COVID-19 was carried out. Results: 78 patients were included. Laparoscopy was used in 33.4% without gas filtration. COVID-19- positive patients (11.5%) were older men (0.04%), with elevated ASA score (0.002), and two or more comorbidities (0.02). They experienced longer hospitalization (0.003), more complications and more deaths (0.0001). All COVID-19 related deaths were due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. None of the patients included resulted infected, but one out of 47 staff personnel (<2%). Conclusion: COVID-19 is largely unknown, but a safe and effective surgical pathway is feasible.
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