Study: COVID-19’s impact on oncological surgery offers lessons for future crises

Editor's Note

A scoping review of 15 studies reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted oncological abdominal surgery (OAS), leading to postponed or canceled procedures, adoption of alternative treatment plans, and increased psychological stress among surgical teams. Published November 5 in the American Journal of Surgery, the findings emphasize the need for evidence-based protocols, digital solutions, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure to better prepare for future pandemics.

Key takeaways include:

• Many surgeries were delayed or canceled due to resource shortages or patient fear of contracting COVID-19. For example, laparoscopic procedures were avoided in certain centers due to concerns about aerosolization risks, while others continued without significant alterations.
• Resource limitations, including shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ICU capacities, significantly strained surgical departments. Healthcare professionals and patients were often reassigned to other wards or facilities, with cold sites (COVID-free surgical settings) implemented to maintain oncological care.
• Adoption of routine COVID-19 testing and enhanced protective protocols was widespread despite challenges of supply shortages and inconsistent guidelines. PPE use became standard, with many hospitals implementing comprehensive preoperative testing.
• Prioritizing patients for limited surgical slots and other moral stressors put a significant emotional burden on surgical teams. Some experienced burnout, depression, or left their jobs entirely.
• Although telemedicine and virtual communication played a critical role in increasing accessibility and controlling costs, concerns persist about privacy, technical challenges, and suitability for initial diagnoses.

Future pandemic and other disaster preparedness strategies should prioritize developing evidence-based protocols for resource allocation, surgical prioritization, and alternative treatments, researchers write. Telemedicine and digital tools should be refined to address privacy and usability concerns, while in-person care should be maintained for for complex cases. psychological support strategies for frontline workers are essential to mitigating stress and burnout, while investing in infrastructure and technology—including AI—can enhance resilience.