To determine the effect on clinical outcomes, specifically postoperative complications and recovery times, of postponed surgical IBD procedures in patients with IBD who underwent a surgical procedure.
Key Findings:
81 patients underwent surgical procedures for IBD, with 64 (79.0%) having Crohn’s disease and 17 (21.0%) having Ulcerative Colitis. The decrease in surgical procedures during the pandemic raises concerns about potential long-term impacts on patient health.
No significant differences in baseline characteristics between patients operated on during the pandemic and those before.
Interpretation:
Delays in surgical procedures for IBD during the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect baseline characteristics or median time to surgery, but the overall number of procedures decreased, which may have long-term implications for patient health.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the findings.
Limited data on long-term outcomes and complications, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of surgical delays.
Conclusion:
Postponement of surgical procedures during the pandemic did not significantly impact immediate postoperative outcomes, but the reduction in surgeries raises concerns about potential long-term consequences for IBD patients, necessitating further research.
by Ellen de Bock, Eline S. Herman, Vincent Meij, Thijs A. Burghgraef, Bas Oldenburg, Paul M. Verheijen, Apollo Pronk, Mando D. Filipe, Menno R. Vriens, Milan C. Richir
These 10 states make it more practical for physicians to participate in hospital ownership by aligning statutory structure, corporate practice of medicine rules, and population trends.
