Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Volume and Postoperative Survival in Oncology

Overview

This study evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical volume, tumor stage distribution, and postoperative survival in oncology across a regional German hospital network. Findings indicate a decrease in surgical volume and an increase in advanced tumor stages during the pandemic.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, leading to the postponement of elective surgeries and a decrease in oncological procedures. This study provides insights into how surgical volume and patient outcomes were affected during different pandemic phases.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• The minimum surgical volume recorded was 20 operations in April 2020 and December 2021.
• UICC stage IV disease was more prevalent during the pandemic (26.8%) compared to pre-pandemic (23.9%) and post-pandemic (24.2%) periods.
• Kaplan–Meier analysis suggested a trend towards reduced postoperative overall survival during the pandemic (log-rank p = 0.066).
• After adjusting for age, sex, tumor stage, and resection site, the hazard of death was significantly lower in the pre-pandemic cohort (HR 0.78, p = 0.005).
• Overall, 2871 oncological surgical procedures were evaluated across the three periods.

Clinical Implications

Understanding the impact of delayed surgeries on tumor stages and survival can inform future strategies for managing cancer care during similar disruptions.

Conclusion

The study highlights significant changes in surgical volume and patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related Resources & Content

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2. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Triage Timing, Tumor Staging, and Treatment Approaches for Colon Cancer Patients, 2023
3. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Patients with Metastatic Uro-Oncological Conditions Receiving Systemic Cancer Treatment: A Multicenter Analysis in German University Hospitals, 2021
4. Updates in Surgery — Guidelines for Surgical Care of Cancer Patients During and Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology, 2020
5. WHO COVID-19 Global Risk Assessment- Version 10, 2026
6. Mindestmengen für planbare medizinische Leistungen - Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, 2025
7. The effect of delays in cancer surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer resectability and postoperative mortality in different tumor entities, PubMed, 2021
8. WHO COVID-19 Global Risk Assessment- Version 10
9. Mindestmengen für planbare medizinische Leistungen - Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss
10. The effect of delays in cancer surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer resectability and postoperative mortality in different tumor entities - PubMed