238 Gynecologic oncology at the time of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak. (13th November 2020) - Bogani, G
Abstract : The WHO classified the novel coronavirus (ie, SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19) as a global public health emergency. Covid-19 threatens to curtail patient access to evidence-based treatment. Medicine is changing, basically due to the limited available resources. In the field of gynecologic oncology we have to re-design our treatments' paradigm. During COVID-19 outbreak, the highest priority is to achieve the maximum benefit from less demanding procedures. Extensive procedures should be avoided, in order to reduce hospitalization and postoperative events that might increase the in-hospital spread of the virus. Here, we present outcomes of 13 patients affected by Covid-19 and by gynecologcial cancer having treatment during the first months of the pandemic outbreak. In 80% patients treatments were dalayed, surgical plans changed in 70% of patients. 60% of patients required prolunged hospitalization in Covid-19 dedicated hubs. A patient developed a Covid-19 related acute pneumonia after surgery. The patient died due to Covid-19 in the 7th postoperative day. Covid-19 represent a real emergency. Treatments of cancer patients would performed only wheater it is not safely delayable. To date there are insufficient data to recommend for/against an open versus laparoscopy approach; however, the surgical team should choose an approach that minimizes OR time and maximizes safety for both patients and healthcare staff.