Cholecystectomies in the COVID-19 Pandemic During and After the First Lockdown in Germany: an Analysis of 8561 Patients

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to global changes in healthcare systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on surgical care of patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of routine data from the largest hospital group in Germany (68 acute hospitals). Included were inpatients who underwent cholecystectomy between March 19, 2020 (beginning of the first lockdown in Germany) and September 22, 2020. These patients were compared with those treated in the same interval in 2019. RESULTS: In the 2020 study period, 4035 patients met the inclusion criteria (2019: 4526 patients). During the first lockdown, there was a significant reduction in the number of cholecystectomies performed (51.1% decrease). More patients with a higher risk profile underwent urgent operations, which were accompanied by a significant increase in conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. The patients were treated as inpatients for a longer duration than 2019, and the mortality rate increased significantly to 1.3% (2019: 0.1%). The complication rate also showed a significant increase. After the end of the first lockdown, daily admission rates normalized very quickly. However, it was not possible to fully address the backlog of operations. CONCLUSION: There is still a “patient stagnation” 6 months after the first German lockdown. Extrapolated to the national level, this corresponds to almost 21,000 fewer cholecystectomies performed in Germany in 2020. It remains to be seen whether surgical rates will return to pre-pandemic levels and whether complications will arise in the future due to the lack of operations.