Experience of Hospital Admission and Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Survey of IBD Patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience of surgery in IBD patients during the COVID pandemic. METHODS: A survey was distributed among patients undergoing IBD-related surgeries from January 2020 to March 2020 via an online platform. The response was submitted anonymously. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients responded to the survey. COVID-19 testing was conducted in 60 (76.9%) patients, and they were all tested negative. Emergent surgery was performed in 12 (15.4%) patients and postponed surgery in 18 (23.1%) patients. The surgical indications were mainly bowel obstruction (N = 21, 26.9%) and perianal abscess (N = 18, 23.1%). Postoperative complications were noted in 5.1% of cases, but no re-operation was required. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, 58 (74.4%) patients reported various levels of concern and anxiety for surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Common surgical indications were for bowel obstruction and perianal abscess. Surgery can be postponed, but disease progression should be monitored closely and surgically intervened as needed. Most patients expressed anxiety resulting from the pandemic. The overall experience was satisfactory.