Encuesta nacional sobre el tratamiento de la colelitiasis en España durante la fase inicial de la pandemia por COVID-19 / National survey on the treatment of cholelitiasis in Spain during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCCIÓN: La pandemia COVID-19 ha tenido una repercusión extraordinaria sobre los hospitales españoles, que han reorganizado sus recursos para tratar a estos pacientes, limitando su capacidad de atender otras patologías frecuentes. El presente estudio analiza la repercusión sobre el tratamiento de la colelitiasis y la colecistitis aguda. MÉTODOS: Se ha realizado un estudio nacional descriptivo mediante una encuesta online voluntaria, realizada en Google Drive™, distribuida por correo electrónico desde la Asociación Española de Cirujanos (AEC) a todos los cirujanos miembros. RESULTADOS: Se han recibido 153 encuestas (una por centro). El 96,7% de ellos han suspendido las colecistectomías electivas. El tratamiento conservador de la colecistitis aguda no complicada se ha realizado en un 90% de los casos (siendo previamente del 18%) y, en las colecistitis intervenidas, el 95% ha optado por el abordaje laparoscópico. Un 49% realiza algún test preoperatorio para SARS-CoV-2, y el 57% comunica haber tenido casos de confirmación postoperatoria tras alguna intervención, con peor evolución postoperatoria en el 54%. CONCLUSIONES: Esta encuesta revela que la mayoría de los centros están siguiendo las recomendaciones de las sociedades quirúrgicas durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Sin embargo, se observan algunos datos que precisan ser tenidos en cuenta en las fases sucesivas de la pandemia

INTRODUCTION: The extraordinary impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish hospitals has led to a redistribution of resources for the treatment of these patients, with a decreased capacity of care for other common diseases. The aim of the present study is to analyse how this situation has affected the treatment of cholecystitis and cholelythiasis. METHODS: It is a descriptive national study after online voluntary distribution of a specific questionnaire with Google Drive™ to members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC). RESULTS: We received 153 answers (one per hospital). Elective cholecystectomies have been cancelled in 96.7% of centres. Conservative treatment for acute cholecystitis has been selected in 90% (previously 18%), and if operated, 95% have been performed laparoscopically. Globally, only 49% perform preoperative diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, and 58.5% recognize there have been cases confirmed postoperatively after other surgeries, with worse surgical outcomes in 54%. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that most of the Spanish centers are following the surgical societies suggestions during the pandemic. However, some data requires to be taken into account for the next phase of the pandemic

National survey on the treatment of cholelitiasis in Spain during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Encuesta nacional sobre el tratamiento de la colelitiasis en España durante la fase inicial de la pandemia por COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The extraordinary impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish hospitals has led to a redistribution of resources for the treatment of these patients, with a decreased capacity of care for other common diseases. The aim of the present study is to analyse how this situation has affected the treatment of cholecystitis and cholelythiasis. METHODS: It is a descriptive national study after online voluntary distribution of a specific questionnaire with Google Drive™ to members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC). RESULTS: We received 153 answers (one per hospital). Elective cholecystectomies have been cancelled in 96.7% of centres. Conservative treatment for acute cholecystitis has been selected in 90% (previously 18%), and if operated, 95% have been performed laparoscopically. Globally, only 49% perform preoperative diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, and 58.5% recognize there have been cases confirmed postoperatively after other surgeries, with worse surgical outcomes in 54%. CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that most of the Spanish centers are following the surgical societies suggestions during the pandemic. However, some data requires to be taken into account for the next phase of the pandemic.

[National survey on the treatment of cholelitiasis in Spain during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Encuesta nacional sobre el tratamiento de la colelitiasis en España durante la fase inicial de la pandemia por COVID-19.

Introduction: The extraordinary impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish hospitals has led to a redistribution of resources for the treatment of these patients, with a decreased capacity of care for other common diseases. The aim of the present study is to analyse how this situation has affected the treatment of cholecystitis and cholelythiasis. Methods: It is a descriptive national study after online voluntary distribution of a specific questionnaire with Google Drive™ to members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC). Results: We received 153 answers (one per hospital). Elective cholecystectomies have been cancelled in 96.7% of centres. Conservative treatment for acute cholecystitis has been selected in 90% (previously 18%), and if operated, 95% have been performed laparoscopically. Globally, only 49% perform preoperative diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, and 58.5% recognize there have been cases confirmed postoperatively after other surgeries, with worse surgical outcomes in 54%. Conclusions: This survey shows that most of the Spanish centers are following the surgical societies suggestions during the pandemic. However, some data requires to be taken into account for the next phase of the pandemic.