| Title: | Thoracic Surgical Oncology – Maintaining a High-Volume High-Quality Surgical Programme in Ireland during the Coronavirus Pandemic |
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| Author(s): | R Weedle A Daly VK Young RJ Ryan GJ Fitzmaurice |
| Institution: | St James's Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | Lung Cancer/CF/ILD/Surgery |
| Abstract: | Coronavirus caused unprecedented disruption to the delivery of healthcare services worldwide. Within Ireland, existing resources were realigned to primarily manage Covid-19 patients and consequently novel solutions were urgently required to maintain treatment strategies for time-sensitive non-Covid illnesses, including thoracic malignancies. The purpose of this study was to review the delivery of our thoracic surgical service during this pandemic. A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively-maintained database of all cases performed between 25th March and 29th June 2020, when our elective surgical caseload transferred to the Blackrock Clinic. Patient demographics, operative details, and outcomes were collected. Qualitative analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. During this 13-week time period, 97 operative procedures were performed. Results are shown in table 1. We instituted a strict admission pathway with the aim of establishing and maintaining a Covid-free environment. A rigorous anaesthetic and intra-operative protocol was established to limit aerosolisation risk. Post-operative management was based in individual patient rooms with a standardised recovery pathway. Overall case volume and mix was maintained with stable morbidity and mortality. This approach facilitated the maintenance of a ‘Covid-free’ high volume high quality thoracic surgical oncology programme during a time of unprecedented disruption to the Irish health service. |
