COVID-19 and Perioperative Management Strategies for Gastrointestinal Surgery: An Experience From Jiaxing, China

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was leading to a worldwide pandemic, which affected surgical operation. This study assessed the efficacy of perioperative management of patients scheduled for gastrointestinal surgery during COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 188 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak in Jiaxing, China. Perioperative data were collected, including data on pre-, intra-, and postoperative management strategies. The same data over the same period in 2019 were also collected for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 117, 63, and 8 patients underwent emergency, semi-elective, and elective surgeries, respectively. The locals: nonlocals ratio was significantly higher during this investigation period in 2020 than during the same period in 2019 (P < .05). After screening, 12 patients were identified as unqualified. The number of gastrointestinal surgeries was reduced in 2020. There were no differences in the ratio of emergency surgery or semi-elective surgery between in 2020 and in 2019. The elective surgery ratio between January 27 and February 28 was found to be lower in 2020 than in 2019 (P < .05). The disease spectra of emergency surgery and semi-elective surgery were similar. A total of 31 elective surgeries were postponed. There were five cases of short-term complications for emergency surgeries and two cases of short-term complications for semi-elective surgeries. No long-term complications or COVID-19 infection occurred in any of the cases, and no medical staff member was infected. CONCLUSION: Perioperative management strategies minimize the risk of nosocomial infection and reduce the influence of epidemics on gastrointestinal surgery.