Colorectal Cancer Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Background/aim: A notable re-allocation of healthcare resources and specific clinical and organizational measures have been required to prevent COVID-19 infection among hospitalized patients and healthcare workers.

Patients and methods: From March 9th to May 9th 2020 we performed colorectal cancer elective surgery on 25 patients: a pre-hospital screening was carried out in order to avoid hospitalization of patients suspected of COVID-19 infection.

Results: All patients (median age=76 years; range=37-88 years) were considered suitable for admission after telephone triage; the median interval between primary diagnosis and hospital admission was 23.1 days (range=1-55 days). The median hospitalization was 7.8 days (range=4-18 days). One COVID-19-associated death was reported.

Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that safe colorectal cancer elective surgery can be performed during the pandemic COVID-19. Further consensus and guidelines to prevent diffusion of pandemic diseases among hospitalized patients and healthcare workers still need to be implemented.

Keywords: COVID 19; Colorectal cancer; colorectal surgery; healthcare; infections; prevention.