Abstract

PASTOR ROMERO, Sebastián Alejandro; MEDINA FLORES, Paola Alexandra; CARDENAS DAVALOS, Juan Carlos  and  BARBA BERMEO, Walter. Emergency surgical disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in a second level hospital in Ecuador. Vive Rev. Salud [online]. 2020, vol.3, n.9, pp.158-165. ISSN 2664-3243.

Abstract Introduction: Since the declaration of a pandemic by the WHO on March 11, 2020, there has been a decrease in the admissions of surgical patients due to the paralyzation of elective surgery and the decrease in emerging surgical procedures. Objective: To analyze the incidence and characteristics of emerging surgical pathology in a second level hospital in Ecuador. Material and methods: Retrospective and descriptive study, which included all the patients undergoing emergency general surgery at Hospital General Riobamba IESS, from March 11 to August 11, 2020. Results: 63 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 48.54 years; 50.8% were men. The most frequent diagnosis was acute appendicitis in 61.9% cases. 66 surgeries were performed, 36.5% were conventional appendicectomies. The open approach was carried out in 68.2% of the patients. 12.7% of patients presented COVID-19 in the perioperative period, of which 25% died. Overall mortality was 7.9% and all deceased patients were men. Discussion: The evidence about surgical management during the COVID-19 pandemic is still limited. Emerging surgical pathology cannot be deferred, the increased mortality of infected patients and the risk of exposure of the surgical team must be taken into account. Conclusion: During the pandemic there was a decrease in the surgeries performed in our center, acute appendicitis continues to be the main emerging surgical pathology. Mortality was associated with male sex and diagnosis of COVID-19.

Keywords : COVID-19; general surgery; laparoscopy; medical emergencies.

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