Comparative analysis of the anaesthesia management of gynecological operations between the normal period and COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim In the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic period, one of the major objectives of the anaesthesia team was providing quality care for patients whose procedures cannot (or can no longer) be postponed while limiting the risk of contamination of these patients and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study is to analyse and document the changes in anaesthesia management of gynecological operations in accordance with this objective during the pandemic period. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients who had gynecological operation from 01.09.2019 to 31.12.2020. Anaesthetic management of gynecological operations corresponding to the pandemic process (After Pandemic Group) were compared with anaesthetic management of gynecological operations from the before the pandemic process (Before Pandemic Group) . Anaesthesia records of the patients were examined. The following parameters are recorded: Surgery type, indication of the surgery, urgency of the surgery and anaesthesia method performed, airway management of the patients, used medications for the anaesthesia management. Results There was an increment in the percentage of operations performed with regional anaesthesia after the start of the pandemic. There was a statistically significant decrement in the percentage of operations performed with laparoscopic technique after the start of the pandemic. There was an increment in the percentage of operations with oncologycal or suspected oncologycal indications after the start of the pandemic; there was no difference in the percentage of urgent surgeries while there was a decrement in the percentage of operations with elective indications. Conclusion By taking alterations and fluctations in community prevalence into consideration, decisions about cancellation of surgeries must be made dynamically. Possibility of COVID-19 infection must be considered in every patient. In anaesthesia management, regional anaesthesia methods may be considered in appropriate cases. Proper PPE must be used if airway manipulations are needed.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• gynecological operations
• anaesthesia management

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