Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers?: An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery

Mohamed Alasmar; Afsana Kausar; Alexander Berend-Jan Borgstein; Johnny Moons; Sophie Doran; Stefano de Pascale; Rafael Restrepo; Apollonia Verrengia; Mariella Alloggio; Ana Moro Delgado; Sacheen Kumar; Ismael Díez Del Val; Simone Giocapuzzi; Gian Luca Baiocchi; Marta de Vega Irañeta; Gabriel Salcedo; Peter Vorwald; Uberto Fumagalli Romario; Philippe Nafteux; Suzanne Gisbertz; Mohammed Asif Chaudry; Bilal Alkhaffaf

doi:10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers? An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery

Mohamed Alasmar, Afsana Kausar, Alexander Berend-Jan Borgstein, Johnny Moons, Sophie Doran, Stefano de Pascale, Rafael Restrepo, Apollonia Verrengia, Mariella Alloggio, Ana Moro Delgado, Sacheen Kumar, Ismael Díez Del Val, Simone Giocapuzzi, Gian Luca Baiocchi, Marta de Vega Irañeta, Gabriel Salcedo, Peter Vorwald, Uberto Fumagalli Romario, Philippe Nafteux, Suzanne GisbertzMohammed Asif Chaudry, Bilal Alkhaffaf

Division of Cancer Sciences (L5)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unparalleled changes to patient care, including the suspension of cancer surgery. Concerns regarding COVID-19-related risks to patients and healthcare workers with the re-introduction of major complex minimally invasive and open surgery have been raised. This study examines the COVID-19 related risks to patients and healthcare workers following the re-introduction of major oesophago-gastric (EG) surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an international, multi-centre, observational study of consecutive patients treated by open and minimally invasive oesophagectomy and gastrectomy for malignant or benign disease. Patients were recruited from nine European centres serving regions with a high population incidence of COVID-19 between 1 May and 1 July 2020. The primary endpoint was 30-day COVID-19-related mortality. All staff involved in the operative care of patients were invited to complete a health-related survey to assess the incidence of COVID-19 in this group.

RESULTS: In total, 158 patients were included in the study (71 oesophagectomy, 82 gastrectomy). Overall, 87 patients (57%) underwent MIS (59 oesophagectomy, 28 gastrectomy). A total of 403 staff were eligible for inclusion, of whom 313 (78%) completed the health survey. Approaches to mitigate against the risks of COVID-19 for patients and staff varied amongst centres. No patients developed COVID-19 in the post-operative period. Two healthcare workers developed self-limiting COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS: Precautions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection have enabled the safe re-introduction of minimally invasive and open EG surgery for both patients and staff. Further studies are necessary to determine the minimum requirements for mitigations against COVID-19.

Original language	English
Article number	4816–4826
Journal	Annals of surgical oncology
Volume	28
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0
Publication status	Published - 17 Apr 2021

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

Manchester Cancer Research Centre

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0.pdf

Cite this

Alasmar, M., Kausar, A., Borgstein, A. B.-J., Moons, J., Doran, S., de Pascale, S., Restrepo, R., Verrengia, A., Alloggio, M., Delgado, A. M., Kumar, S., Del Val, I. D., Giocapuzzi, S., Baiocchi, G. L., de Vega Irañeta, M., Salcedo, G., Vorwald, P., Fumagalli Romario, U., Nafteux, P., ... Alkhaffaf, B. (2021). Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers? An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery. Annals of surgical oncology, 28, Article 4816–4826. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

@article{3677074c95e24dd393f69ea86b56fecb,

title = "Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers?: An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery",

abstract = "INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unparalleled changes to patient care, including the suspension of cancer surgery. Concerns regarding COVID-19-related risks to patients and healthcare workers with the re-introduction of major complex minimally invasive and open surgery have been raised. This study examines the COVID-19 related risks to patients and healthcare workers following the re-introduction of major oesophago-gastric (EG) surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an international, multi-centre, observational study of consecutive patients treated by open and minimally invasive oesophagectomy and gastrectomy for malignant or benign disease. Patients were recruited from nine European centres serving regions with a high population incidence of COVID-19 between 1 May and 1 July 2020. The primary endpoint was 30-day COVID-19-related mortality. All staff involved in the operative care of patients were invited to complete a health-related survey to assess the incidence of COVID-19 in this group.RESULTS: In total, 158 patients were included in the study (71 oesophagectomy, 82 gastrectomy). Overall, 87 patients (57%) underwent MIS (59 oesophagectomy, 28 gastrectomy). A total of 403 staff were eligible for inclusion, of whom 313 (78%) completed the health survey. Approaches to mitigate against the risks of COVID-19 for patients and staff varied amongst centres. No patients developed COVID-19 in the post-operative period. Two healthcare workers developed self-limiting COVID-19.CONCLUSIONS: Precautions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection have enabled the safe re-introduction of minimally invasive and open EG surgery for both patients and staff. Further studies are necessary to determine the minimum requirements for mitigations against COVID-19.",

author = "Mohamed Alasmar and Afsana Kausar and Borgstein, {Alexander Berend-Jan} and Johnny Moons and Sophie Doran and {de Pascale}, Stefano and Rafael Restrepo and Apollonia Verrengia and Mariella Alloggio and Delgado, {Ana Moro} and Sacheen Kumar and {Del Val}, {Ismael D{\'i}ez} and Simone Giocapuzzi and Baiocchi, {Gian Luca} and {de Vega Ira{\~n}eta}, Marta and Gabriel Salcedo and Peter Vorwald and {Fumagalli Romario}, Uberto and Philippe Nafteux and Suzanne Gisbertz and Chaudry, {Mohammed Asif} and Bilal Alkhaffaf",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, The Author(s).",

year = "2021",

month = apr,

day = "17",

doi = "10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0",

language = "English",

volume = "28",

journal = "Annals of surgical oncology",

issn = "1068-9265",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

}

Alasmar, M, Kausar, A, Borgstein, AB-J, Moons, J, Doran, S, de Pascale, S, Restrepo, R, Verrengia, A, Alloggio, M, Delgado, AM, Kumar, S, Del Val, ID, Giocapuzzi, S, Baiocchi, GL, de Vega Irañeta, M, Salcedo, G, Vorwald, P, Fumagalli Romario, U, Nafteux, P, Gisbertz, S, Chaudry, MA & Alkhaffaf, B 2021, 'Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers? An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery', Annals of surgical oncology, vol. 28, 4816–4826. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers? An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery. / Alasmar, Mohamed; Kausar, Afsana; Borgstein, Alexander Berend-Jan et al.
In: Annals of surgical oncology, Vol. 28, 4816–4826, 17.04.2021.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Is Re-introducing Major Open and Minimally Invasive Surgery during COVID-19 Safe for Patients and Healthcare Workers?

T2 - An International, Multi-centre Cohort Study in the Field of Oesophago-gastric Surgery

AU - Alasmar, Mohamed

AU - Kausar, Afsana

AU - Borgstein, Alexander Berend-Jan

AU - Moons, Johnny

AU - Doran, Sophie

AU - de Pascale, Stefano

AU - Restrepo, Rafael

AU - Verrengia, Apollonia

AU - Alloggio, Mariella

AU - Delgado, Ana Moro

AU - Kumar, Sacheen

AU - Del Val, Ismael Díez

AU - Giocapuzzi, Simone

AU - Baiocchi, Gian Luca

AU - de Vega Irañeta, Marta

AU - Salcedo, Gabriel

AU - Vorwald, Peter

AU - Fumagalli Romario, Uberto

AU - Nafteux, Philippe

AU - Gisbertz, Suzanne

AU - Chaudry, Mohammed Asif

AU - Alkhaffaf, Bilal

PY - 2021/4/17

Y1 - 2021/4/17

N2 - INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unparalleled changes to patient care, including the suspension of cancer surgery. Concerns regarding COVID-19-related risks to patients and healthcare workers with the re-introduction of major complex minimally invasive and open surgery have been raised. This study examines the COVID-19 related risks to patients and healthcare workers following the re-introduction of major oesophago-gastric (EG) surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an international, multi-centre, observational study of consecutive patients treated by open and minimally invasive oesophagectomy and gastrectomy for malignant or benign disease. Patients were recruited from nine European centres serving regions with a high population incidence of COVID-19 between 1 May and 1 July 2020. The primary endpoint was 30-day COVID-19-related mortality. All staff involved in the operative care of patients were invited to complete a health-related survey to assess the incidence of COVID-19 in this group.RESULTS: In total, 158 patients were included in the study (71 oesophagectomy, 82 gastrectomy). Overall, 87 patients (57%) underwent MIS (59 oesophagectomy, 28 gastrectomy). A total of 403 staff were eligible for inclusion, of whom 313 (78%) completed the health survey. Approaches to mitigate against the risks of COVID-19 for patients and staff varied amongst centres. No patients developed COVID-19 in the post-operative period. Two healthcare workers developed self-limiting COVID-19.CONCLUSIONS: Precautions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection have enabled the safe re-introduction of minimally invasive and open EG surgery for both patients and staff. Further studies are necessary to determine the minimum requirements for mitigations against COVID-19.

AB - INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unparalleled changes to patient care, including the suspension of cancer surgery. Concerns regarding COVID-19-related risks to patients and healthcare workers with the re-introduction of major complex minimally invasive and open surgery have been raised. This study examines the COVID-19 related risks to patients and healthcare workers following the re-introduction of major oesophago-gastric (EG) surgery.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an international, multi-centre, observational study of consecutive patients treated by open and minimally invasive oesophagectomy and gastrectomy for malignant or benign disease. Patients were recruited from nine European centres serving regions with a high population incidence of COVID-19 between 1 May and 1 July 2020. The primary endpoint was 30-day COVID-19-related mortality. All staff involved in the operative care of patients were invited to complete a health-related survey to assess the incidence of COVID-19 in this group.RESULTS: In total, 158 patients were included in the study (71 oesophagectomy, 82 gastrectomy). Overall, 87 patients (57%) underwent MIS (59 oesophagectomy, 28 gastrectomy). A total of 403 staff were eligible for inclusion, of whom 313 (78%) completed the health survey. Approaches to mitigate against the risks of COVID-19 for patients and staff varied amongst centres. No patients developed COVID-19 in the post-operative period. Two healthcare workers developed self-limiting COVID-19.CONCLUSIONS: Precautions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection have enabled the safe re-introduction of minimally invasive and open EG surgery for both patients and staff. Further studies are necessary to determine the minimum requirements for mitigations against COVID-19.

U2 - 10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

DO - 10.1245/s10434-021-09885-0

M3 - Article

C2 - 33866473

SN - 1068-9265

VL - 28

JO - Annals of surgical oncology

JF - Annals of surgical oncology

M1 - 4816–4826

ER -