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01-03-2021 | COVID-19 | Original Scientific Report

Maintaining Standards in Colorectal Cancer Surgery During the Global Pandemic: A Cohort Study

Authors: Julia Merchant, Ian Lindsey, David James, Nick Symons, Stephen Boyce, Oliver Jones, Bruce George, Chris Cunningham

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Aim

Cancer surgery in the COVID-19 pandemic presents many new challenges. For each patient, the risk of contracting COVID-19 during the perioperative period, with the potential for life-threatening sequelae (1), has to be weighed against the risk of delaying treatment. We assessed the response and short-term outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the pandemic at our institution.

Method

We report a prospective cohort study of all elective colorectal surgery cases performed at our Trust during the 11 weeks following the national UK lockdown on 23rd March 2020, compared with the same time period in 2019.

Results

Eighty-five colorectal operations were performed during the 2020 (COVID) time period, and 179 performed in the 2019 (non-COVID) time period. A significantly higher proportion of cases during the COVID period were cancer-related (66% vs 26%, p < 0.00001). There was no difference in length of hospital stay, complications or readmissions. There were no mortalities in either cohort. Among the cancer patients, there were no differences in TMN staging, R1 resection rate or lymph node yields. No elective patient tested positive for COVID-19 during the perioperative period.

Conclusion

At the height of the COVID pandemic, we maintained delivery the of high-quality elective colorectal cancer surgery, with no worsening of short-term outcomes and no compromise in the quality of cancer resections. Ongoing monitoring of this cohort is essential. The risks associated with COVID-19 will continue for some time, necessitating adaptive responses to maintain high-quality cancer services.

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Title: Maintaining Standards in Colorectal Cancer Surgery During the Global Pandemic: A Cohort Study
Authors: Julia Merchant
Ian Lindsey
David James
Nick Symons
Stephen Boyce
Oliver Jones
Bruce George
Chris Cunningham
Publication date: 01-03-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: COVID-19
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05928-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Maintaining Standards in Colorectal Cancer Surgery During the Global Pandemic: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

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